Huge numbers of Muslim pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, praying under a punishing desert sun as temperatures approached 40°C.
More than 1.5 million people have joined this year’s Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, despite the impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran across the Middle East.
Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Hajj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —AFPMuslim pilgrims gather near misting fans at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Hajj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —AFPMuslim pilgrims gather near misting fans at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Hajj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —AFPMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersA Muslim pilgrim gestures at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — ReutersMuslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. — Reuters
