The annual pilgrimage to Mecca’s Grand Mosque, saw a record number of one million offering their prayers. As various groups of pilgrims helped the elderly or even pushed the wheelchairs. They walked holding hands decorated with colorful scarves to avoid getting separated or lost.
The worshippers from around the world hoped the Haj would provide religious harmony as various Arab states are embroiled in sectarian conflict since 2011.
This year Riyadh has had to cut the numbers to avoid overcrowding during their expansion development works. This is too stop the ever growing repetition of any human stampedes, and accidents, like the one last week when a crane crashed into the Grand Mosque.
