Muslims arrive in Mecca for start of hajj pilgrimage

MECCA, Saudi Arabia – An estimated 2 million Muslims are streaming into a sprawling tent city near Mecca for the start of the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia says there are 1.4 million visitors to the kingdom for the hajj.

The pilgrims are heading on Thursday to Mina, about five kilometres (three miles) from Mecca, where they will spend the night in prayer and supplication.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The hajj, a central pillar of Islam, lasts about five days.

Missing from this year’s hajj are pilgrims from the countries hardest-hit by the Ebola virus.

Saudi Arabia banned hajj and work visas this year for people from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea as a precaution to avoid the spread of Ebola during hajj, which sees massive crowds of people from around the world gather in Mecca.