Millions gather at Hajj pilgrimage

Security officials keeps an eye on cars at a checkpoint between Jeddah and Mecca before the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims crowd the roads leading to the entrances of Mecca's Grand Mosque Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims run for cover as heavy rain streams down a road in the holy city of Mecca Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

Pilgrims attending the hajj shelter from heavy rains in Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Pilgrims attending the hajj walk on flooded streets during heavy rains in Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Pilgrims attending the hajj walk on flooded streets during heavy rains in Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: Hassan Ammar/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims pray on their way up Noor Mountain in the holy city of Mecca before the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

A health worker waits for the arrival of Saudi Arabian Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah to inspect emergency facilities for this year's Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims gather to sleep near Namira mosque at Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, southeast of Mecca Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

A Saudi security official wearing a protective mask keeps an eye on Muslim pilgrims as they arrive at the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: Hassan Ammar/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during morning prayers before the start of this year's hajj pilgrimage Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

A security guard directs Muslim pilgrims seeking medical care at the Nour hospital in the holy city of Mecca before the start of this year's hajj pilgrimage. The Kingdom provides free medical care to pilgrims who become ill during their pilgrimage Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims climb the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia Photograph: Hassan Ammar/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi city of Mecca Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

A Muslim pilgrim reads the Koran on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims wearing protective masks walk towards Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca Photograph: Caren Firouz/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims gather outside Namira mosque at Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca Photograph: Mahmud Hams/guardian.co.uk

Muslim pilgrims gather on the Mountain of Mercy at Arafat, Saudi Arabia, on the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage 2009 Photograph: Saudi Press Agency/guardian.co.uk