Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj pilgrimage | USA TODAY

Over 2 million Muslims are expected in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the first since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

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The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. For the pilgrims, it is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God and highlights Muslim unity.

The pilgrimage draws Muslims from around the world to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, where they walk in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad and retrace the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they are known in the Christian and Jewish traditions.

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