The annual Hajj pilgrimage began in Mecca's Grand Mosque on Sunday, with over two million worshippers from 160 countries expected to attend. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once. The timing of this year's hajj in the Saudi summer will test the endurance of the worshippers during the mostly outdoor ritual. The hajj generates billions of dollars for the world's biggest oil exporter, and this year's pilgrimage is the biggest since 2019, with no cap on the number of attendees.

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