More than 1.5 million followers of Islam from all over the world are in Mecca for the pilgrimage (Hajj), the Associated Press reports.
The agency writes that more than 2 million people will take part in the hajj this year. It is noted that planes from Damascus arrived in Mecca for the first time in many years.
In addition to this, about 4.2 thousand people came to Mecca from the West Bank. Those residents of the Gaza Strip who managed to leave the enclave after the closure of the Rafah checkpoint are also participating in the hajj.
It should be added that the hajj will last until June 19. Saudi meteorologists report temperatures could reach 48 degrees Celsius
