More than 1.5 million pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which officially began Monday amid a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war

As Muslims gather for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, they will circle around the “Kaaba,” a black cube draped in gold-embroidered cloth. A ceremonial textile – known as the “kiswah” – covers the Kaaba,

MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Once a year, Muslim pilgrims flowing into Saudi Arabia unite in a series of religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. As they fulfill a religious obligation, they immerse themselves ...