The once-in-a-lifetime Hajj pilgrimage for Muslims is currently underway in the religion’s holiest city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Associated Press reported that some 2.5 million Muslims worldwide will make the journey to Mecca during the five-day event that begins Saturday with rituals heeded by attendees. Mecca is Islam’s holiest site and the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam.
For those who are unable to make Hajj, the AFP reported that the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Google-owned YouTube teamed up to broadcast the proceedings of the Hajj online at www.youtube.com/hajjlive.
"Millions of people from around the world will be able to experience and comment on the event by tuning in via video," a YouTube statement said as quoted by AFP.
As for those participating in this event, it is taking place as many countries in the Arab world are experiencing political change and unrest that has toppled longtime leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and provoked bloody clashes in countries such as Yemen, Syria and Bahrain.
Adil Mohammed al-Saidi, a pilgrim from Yemen, told the Associated Press that he hopes for the overthrow of Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
