Middle East war casts shadow over million-strong hajj pilgrimage

More than a million Muslims are gathering in Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage overshadowed by the Middle East war, as animosity smoulders across the region despite a fragile ceasefire. This year’s rites, drawing worshippers from across the Islamic world including Iran, follow waves of Iranian attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours. Saudi officials are keen to keep conflict far from the minds of visitors, who have travelled long distances for one of the world’s biggest annual pilgrimages.