Wednesday, July 22, 2026
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Muslims begin the annual Hajj against a backdrop of war concerns

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related regional tensions.

Muslims begin the annual Hajj against a backdrop of war concerns
Image: NPR World

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related regional tensions.

(Image credit: Altaf Qadri)

Originally published at NPR World

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