Millions of Muslims flooded into the Saudi Arabian city of Mina for one of the most important Islamic rituals of the Eid al-Adha: the symbolic stoning of Satan by throwing pebbles at holy walls.
Pouring into the Saudi Arabian desert city, new concrete channels greet the pilgrims, safety measures erected to protect people from the chaos that arises when thousands of pilgrims surge forward throwing stones at three walls. Nearly 250 people were killed last year.
The Hajj to Mecca is the largest pilgrimage in the world, and largest annual gathering of people in the world, attracting around two and a half million people. Islam demands it must be made by every able-bodied Muslim that can afford it.
The ritual reenacts the prophet Abraham's experience when the devil confronted him in the desert, tempting him not to sacrifice his son as Allah had instructed. Awe-inspiring pictures of pilgrims' piety and ritualistic fervour within Mecca can be seen below.