Muslims from around the world in Mecca for the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam

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(4 Jun 2025) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4580684 ASSOCIATED PRESS Mecca, Saudi Arabia - 4 June 2025 1. Various of Kaaba 2. Various from inside the grand mosque 3. Various of pilgrims with buses and pigeons nearby STORYLINE: Muslims from around the world are in the Saudi city of Mecca for the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In the coming days, people will immerse themselves in religious rituals and acts of worship that originated more than 1,400 years ago. They also have to contend with excess heat and other earthly factors, like a ban on children under the age of 12 and a crackdown on unauthorized entry. Although the Hajj is at least a once-in-a-lifetime obligation — for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it — people don’t want to wait a lifetime to fulfil it. But the Hajj has limited capacity, countries have set quotas, and there is only one time each year to do it. Patience really is a virtue and everything needs to align: availability, health, and finances. Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have decades-long waiting lists for the Hajj. Indonesia has 5.4 million people awaiting their turn, with the number increasing each year. While there is nothing to stop people from performing the Hajj more than once, some governments believe this practice deprives others of the opportunity, especially in countries where demand is high. India has a ban on “repeaters” and excludes applications from anyone who has previously performed the pilgrimage through the national Hajj committee, although there are exceptions for those accompanying certain categories of people, like the elderly. AP video by Baraa Anwer =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/6f2cdb9b2f9a4b46bad82cefcc0bcc9e