Muslim followers are praying at the Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 29, 2017.

(Photo: EPA/VNA)

For this year’s 5-day pilgrimage, pilgrims from Iran will once again be allowed to attend. But only a few dozen pilgrims are there from neighbouring Qatar, which is in a bitter dispute with Saudi Arabia.

For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Each year Saudi Arabia receives about 2 million Muslims to Mecca.