(7 Jul 2022)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4387491
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mecca - 6 July 2022
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1. Wide of pilgrims circling the Kaaba
HEADLINE: 1 million Muslims begin pilgrimage, closer to normal
2. Wide shot of pilgrims circling Kaaba
Locator: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
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3. Top shot of pilgrims circling Kaaba
ANNOTATION: It is a scene that stirs hope — and relief — for Muslims around the world.
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4. Various of pilgrims circling Kaaba
ANNOTATION: One million pilgrims from across the globe are gathering in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the hajj.
5. Various of pilgrims
ANNOTATION: It's the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic upended the event — a key pillar of Islam.
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6. Top shot of pilgrims circling Kaaba
7. Exterior of Grand Mosque
ANNOTATION: This year, the hajj is open to just 1 million foreign and domestic pilgrims who have been fully vaccinated and are between 18 and 65 years old.
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8. Various of pilgrims circling Kaaba
ANNOTATION: While this year's attendance is far below the pre-pandemic influx of 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a significant step closer to normal.
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9. Wide of pilgrims walking outside Grand Mosque
10. Mid of pigeons
ANNOTATION: The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey.
11. Top shot of pilgrims circling Kaaba.  
ANNOTATION: Pilgrims spend several days carrying out a series of rituals intended to bring them closer to God.
12. Wide top shot of pilgrims circling Kaaba.  
ANNOTATION: The hajj in Islam is meant to be a great equalizer and unifier among Muslims.
STORYLINE:
One million pilgrims from across the globe amassed on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca to perform the initial rites of the hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic upended the event — a key pillar of Islam.
The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey.
Pilgrims spend several days carrying out a series of rituals intended to bring them closer to God, walking the path traversed by Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago.
That includes praying around the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.
At the centre of the Grand Mosque's open courtyard on Wednesday, thousands of unmasked pilgrims circled the Kaaba.
They moved counter-clockwise seven times around the granite building, their hearts tilting toward the structure meant to symbolise the oneness of God in Islam.
This year, the hajj is open to 1 million foreign and domestic pilgrims who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, tested negative for COVID-19 and are between 18 and 65 years old.
Authorities estimate that 85% of all pilgrims have arrived from abroad.
While this year's number is far below the pre-pandemic influx of some 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a major step closer to normal after two years that saw the pilgrimage restricted to just a small number of Muslims already residing in Saudi Arabia.
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