Worshippers walk around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, July 20.
In pictures: Pandemic limits Hajj pilgrimage
Worshippers walk around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, July 20.
Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Image

Updated 5:42 PM EDT, Thu July 22, 2021

Thousands of Muslim worshippers are gathering for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city in Islam. For the second year in a row, the event has been transformed by the global pandemic.

Normally around 2 million Muslims descend on Mecca for the Hajj, but this year only about 60,000 are expected to attend. Saudi authorities have mandated that worshippers be fully vaccinated, and nonresident foreigners are barred from making the pilgrimage.

Performing the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the five-day-long ritual at least once in their lives.

A Muslim pilgrim takes part in the symbolic stoning of the devil Tuesday while he practices social distancing in Mina.
A Muslim pilgrim takes part in the symbolic stoning of the devil Tuesday while he practices social distancing in Mina.
Amr Nabil/AP
Saudi police officers stand guard as people walk around the Kaaba on Tuesday.
Saudi police officers stand guard as people walk around the Kaaba on Tuesday.
Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images
Muslims pray at the Namira Mosque on Monday.
Muslims pray at the Namira Mosque on Monday.
Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images
A pilgrim prays at Mount Arafat on Monday.
A pilgrim prays at Mount Arafat on Monday.
Amr Nabil/AP
Thousands of pilgrims leave after prayers at the Namira Mosque on Monday.
Thousands of pilgrims leave after prayers at the Namira Mosque on Monday.
Amr Nabil/AP
Saudi police guard the entrance to Mount Arafat on Monday.
Saudi police guard the entrance to Mount Arafat on Monday.
Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images
A pilgrim walks in a corridor of a tent camp as a doctor works in a camp clinic in Mina on Sunday.
A pilgrim walks in a corridor of a tent camp as a doctor works in a camp clinic in Mina on Sunday.
Amr Nabil/AP
Pilgrims pray in front of the Al-Safa mountain at the Grand Mosque on Sunday.
Pilgrims pray in front of the Al-Safa mountain at the Grand Mosque on Sunday.
Amr Nabil/AP
Workers at the Grand Mosque disinfect the grounds around the Kaaba on Saturday.
Workers at the Grand Mosque disinfect the grounds around the Kaaba on Saturday.
Amr Nabil/AP
A woman receives calls July 14 at the National Center for Security Operations in Mecca.
A woman receives calls July 14 at the National Center for Security Operations in Mecca.
Amr Nabil/AP
Sudanese workers disinfect tents in Mina as they prepare for Hajj pilgrims on July 14.
Sudanese workers disinfect tents in Mina as they prepare for Hajj pilgrims on July 14.
Amr Nabil/AP
Saudi workers embroider Islamic calligraphy, using either pure silver threads or silver threads plated with gold, as they prepare the Kiswa, or drape, that covers the Kaaba during Hajj.
Saudi workers embroider Islamic calligraphy, using either pure silver threads or silver threads plated with gold, as they prepare the Kiswa, or drape, that covers the Kaaba during Hajj.
Amr Nabil/AP
Tents are set up in Mina on July 13.
Tents are set up in Mina on July 13.
Amr Nabil/AP
Security personnel use smart screens to watch pilgrims at a reception center in Mecca on July 12.
Security personnel use smart screens to watch pilgrims at a reception center in Mecca on July 12.
Amr Nabil/AP
Workers set up accommodations for pilgrims at the Mina tent camp on July 12.
Workers set up accommodations for pilgrims at the Mina tent camp on July 12.
Amr Nabil/AP