Over 1.5 million Muslims from 150 countries - 77,000 Nigerians - are presently gathered in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to observe the 2016 Hajj rites.

The rituals began at the Grand Mosque in Mecca yesterday Saturday September 10 as one of the holiest places in Islam, before setting out in group to Mina, which is about 8km away.

The pilgrims set out from Mina this morning to Mount Arafat, a 14.4km journey from Mina, which was the location of the Prophet Muhammad's final sermon 1,400 years ago.

They are dressed in almost the same attire, wearing two white, unstitched pieces of cloth for men known as the ‘ihram’, and any loose-fitting clothing for women,

Here are some photos from the 2016 journey of a lifetime.



























May Almighty Allah Answer our prayer