Home GCC Saudi Arabia In pictures: Pilgrims perfom haj in Saudi Up to 1.855 million pilgrims have gathered in Saudi for the pilrimage by Aarti Nagraj September 12, 2016 Up to 1.855 million pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia to perform the annual haj pilgrimage this year. According to officials, most of them are from outside Saudi Arabia. The haj is a religious duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey. Close to 1.5 million Muslims from around the world prepared on September 10 night for the climax of the annual haj pilgrimage at a rocky hill known as Mount Arafat. Muslim pilgrims join one of the haj rituals on Mount Arafat near Mecca early on September 11, 2016. The pilgrims undertook day-long prayers and recitals of the Koran on Mount Arafat in western Saudi Arabia where they believe their Prophet Mohammed gave his last haj sermon. Muslim pilgrims gather to perform noon and afternoon prayers at Namira Mosque in Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on September 11, 2016. 0 Comments