Photo Gallery: Hajj 2003

Tuesday, 11 February, 2003

Ten Photos from Hajj 2003

Two million Muslims have gathered on the sacred Plain of Arafat in the land of the Holy Places for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, praying for forgiveness and for war to be averted in Iraq.

Hajj pilgrims walk in a tent camp early morning prior to performing the Jamarat (stone-throwing) in Mina, outside of Makkah, February 11, 2003. Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Adha on Tuesday and two million pilgrims in Saudi Arabia threw pebbles at a pillar representing the devil in the most accident-prone part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Chanting "Allahu Akbar," the pilgrims in white seamless attire marched to Jamarat Bridge where each pilgrim threw seven pebbles at a pillar erected where the shaytan appeared to Ibrahim (as).

A Hajj pilgrim has his head shaved symbolizing the completion of his Hajj in Mina, February 11, 2003.

Hajj pilgrims at Mina perform the Jamarat.

Saudi security personnel and Hajj pilgrims carry a suspected criminal after they captured him in Mina, outside of Makkah, February 11, 2003. The Hajj attracts many beggars and pickpockets who roam the streets packed with pilgrims.

Women pilgrims from eastern Asia walk to perform the Jamarat ritual in Mina, outside of Makkah, February 11, 2003.

Nearly two million Hajj pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah after performing Wuquf on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, February 10, 2003. Pilgrims, as part of the Hajj, retrace the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by spending the night in Muzdalifah, before spending three nights in Mina.

A Hajj pilgrim prays on Mt. Arafat in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj Monday, Feb. 10, 2003. The Hajj pilgrimage peaked Monday with prayers at Mt. Arafat, a gentle hill 12 miles southwest of Makkah. The time spent at Mt. Arafat sybolizes Judgment Day, when every person will stand before Allah and answer for his deeds.

A man prays on Mt. Arafat during the Hajj Monday, Feb. 10, 2003. The Hajj pilgrimage peaked Monday with prayers at Mt. Arafat, a gentle hill 12 miles southwest of Makkah.

A Muslim pilgrim on the Hajj prays on Jabal al-Rahman, the Mount of Mercy, at the center of the plain of Arafat, near Makkah February 10, 2003.

Muslim pilgrims arrive at Arafat to perform Wuquf, February 10, 2003. Under the shadow of looming war in Iraq, two million pilgrims prepared to start the five-day Hajj ritual at Islam's holiest site in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with many expressing deep anger at the United States.

Reprinted from Yahoo photos