Hajj Pilgrims Circle the Kaaba in Mecca as Annual Pilgrimage Begins

Muslims from across the globe have converged in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Scenes from the Grand Mosque show thousands of worshippers performing Tawaf—the ritual of circling the Kaaba seven times—in a powerful display of faith and unity. The pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is expected to draw millions over the coming days, with authorities implementing crowd management measures to ensure safety.