Two million pilgrims prepare for Haj

Two million pilgrims prayed in the Great Mosque in Mecca as they prepared for the Haj, Islam's largest annual pilgrimage.

Some two million Muslims are expected to take part in this year's Haj to Islam's holiest shrines in the southwestern Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina.

Under the midday sun, tens of thousands of faithful, dressed in spotless white robes, walked slowly around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure in the grand Mosque's courtyard which houses a block stone Muslims believe was delivered by the Archangel Gabriel to their prophet, Muhammed.

All arteries leading to the great Mosque, Masjed al-Haram, in the center of the city were choked with pilgrims unable to find room in the Mosque's courtyard, which is large enough to hold eight million people.

Leading prayers, the Mosque's imam called on God to, "Safeguard and unite Muslims so that they stand strong against miscreants and those who seek to attack Islam and the Islamic nation."

"May God almighty aid the warriors of Islamic everywhere in the world and particularly in Palestine, to reap victory and vanquish the enemies of Islam," he said.