More than two million Muslims gathered at the desert of Mina located five kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca for a three-day spiritual journey.

As part of the Hajj rituals, the pilgrims dressed in the same simple clothes have flocked to the desert to slaughter sheep or cattle to celebrate Eid al-Adha, today on October 4.

They also performed rituals of the Day of Arafah. At this annual ceremony Muslim pilgrims have their hair shaved or cut after stoning a symbol of Satan.

The Day of Arafah is regarded as the essence of the Hajj rituals. This day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca which falls on the 2nd day of Hajj pilgrimage rituals.

Muslim pilgrims are performing the rites prophet Muhammad did over 14-hunded years ago in his farewell pilgrimage.

Muslims around the world also celebrate the following three days in honor of the occasion.

Hajj is considered as one of the five pillars of Islam and the largest act of mass pilgrimage in the world and every capable Muslim must perform it at least once in their lifetime.

The holy pilgrimage is also a demonstration of Muslims’ unity and their submission to Allah.