Over 1.5 million Muslims have begun the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The pilgrims, clad in white robes, arrived at the sprawling encampment in Mina after performing the 'tawaf' ritual at the Grand Mosque.
The start of the hajj comes as US President Donald Trump continues to send mixed signals over a possible agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran.
Saudi officials have been keen to keep conflict far from the minds of visitors, with more pilgrims travelling from abroad than in previous years.
Despite the uncertainty, pilgrims expressed hope for peace, with one Egyptian pilgrim saying 'nobody wants wars or harm to countries and peoples'.
The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires pilgrims to perform a series of rituals, including walking around the Kaaba and between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
The climax of the hajj is the gathering on Mount Arafat, where it is believed the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.
