Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims move around the Kaaba, the black cube seen at center, inside the Grand Mosque during the hajj pilgrimage on Nov. 10. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws 3 million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hassan Ammar / Associated Press

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Pilgrims in the Grand Mosque on Nov. 13.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hassan Ammar / Associated Press

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The Grand Mosque is seen from the top of Noor mountain Nov. 12.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MUSTAFA OZER / AFP

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Pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy on the plain of Arafat on Nov. 15.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hassan Ammar / Associated Press

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Pilgrims on the Mountain of Mercy on Nov. 15.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hassan Ammar / Associated Press

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A pilgrim prays on Mt. Arafat, southeast of Mecca, on Nov. 15. Pilgrims flooded onto the Arafat plain from Mecca and Mina before dawn for a key ritual around the site where prophet Mohammed gave his farewell sermon on this day in the Islamic calendar 1,378 years ago. Pilgrims spend the day at Arafat in reflection and reading the Koran.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MUSTAFA OZER / AFP

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Mt. Arafat.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MUSTAFA OZER / AFP

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The moon is seen behind the minaret of the Namira Mosque at Mt. Arafat on Nov. 14.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MUSTAFA OZER / AFP

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