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More than 2 million Muslims in Saudi Arabia embark on first rites of the hajj pilgrimage

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. More than 2 million Muslims have begun the first rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage, which draws people from around the world to Mecca and areas around it to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at ultimately erasing past sins. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) (The Associated Press)

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    Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. More than 2 million Muslims have begun the first rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage, which draws people from around the world to Mecca and areas around it to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at ultimately erasing past sins. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. More than 2 million Muslims have begun the first rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage, which draws people from around the world to Mecca and areas around it to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at ultimately erasing past sins. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) (The Associated Press)

MECCA, Saudi Arabia – More than 2 million Muslims have started the first rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which draws people from around the world to the holy city of Mecca to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at erasing past sins.

Newly-arrived pilgrims circle the cube-shaped Kaaba on Tuesday. They all shed symbols of worldly materialism, a state known as "ihram." Women forgo makeup and perfume for loose fitted clothing and a head-covering while men wear seamless terry cloth white garments meant to symbolize the equality of human beings before God, regardless of wealth, race or status.

All able-bodied Muslims are required in Islam to perform the hajj once in a lifetime.

Pilgrims begin the hajj in Mecca, before heading to the nearby tent city of Mina.