For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

Fatima, 38, managed to leave Syria after government troops assaulted her home neighbourhood of Baba Amr in the central city of Homs, one of the cradles of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

The pilgrims spend the day on the Arafat plateau in supplicating to God to forgive their sins

A Russian, a Chinese and a Malaysian – united in their desire to perform the Hajj – make the arduous journey to Saudi Arabia

The Hajj hosts millions of people and in doing so requires a dedicated amount of workers bringing together thousands of people to make the Hajj safe and easy for pilgrims

Some of the stories shared by pilgrims and people who work in Makkah. We’ve selected a few posts that touched our hearts.