Pray in shadows and sunlight

In shadows and sunlight, thousands of Muslim pilgrims pray inside the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islamic faith, the Hajj must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by any Muslim who has the ability to do so. Pilgrims perform a series of rituals including walking around the Kaaba, standing vigil on Mount Arafat and a ritual Stoning of the Devil.
more pictures of Hajj 2010

the Heart of Islamic world

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam. The building predates Islam, and, according to Islamic tradition, the first building at the site was built by Ibrahim. The building has a mosque built around it, the Masjid al-Haram. All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.