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| Newly-shorn Hajjis throng the streets of Mina |
The hard part of the Hajj is over for many and providing they have completed a series of final rituals
most can now officially call themselves, hajjis or hajjas.
The final rituals occur over several days and include offering a sacrifice, stoning pillars representing
the Devil and performing a Tawaf or circumnavigation of the Ka'aba in Mecca.
Following these rituals pilgrims gathered in the streets or nearby barbers to have their hair cut, as
is the custom after completing Hajj.
Female pilgrims remove a lock of hair whereas many male pilgrims opt to have their heads shaved to signify
their new status.
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| Barbers shop in Mina |
Despite Mina housing more than 1,200 barbers' chairs there were long queues. Officials have encouraged
licenced barbers to set up shop in Mina after health warnings of diseases that are spread through used
razors and shavers.
The men are also allowed to remove their ihram - the two unstitched sheets - they donned when nearing
Mecca up to five days ago.
The ihram forces a pilgrim to abandon his personal, national and racial characteristics and join the faithful.
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| Many find the ihram dress uncomfortable |
Many talked of how uncomfortable the ihram is and the fact that they are not allowed to wear underwear
or use perfumed soap.
One pilgrim spoke of how the crowd became somewhat on the nose in the hot conditions.
"You try to accommodate your brothers and sisters and tolerate the smell but it is hard."
A British pilgrim talked of being conscious of the ihram at all times, so he would not inadvertently
expose himself.
"You can't sit, walk or sleep properly, imagine if you had to wear this all the time," he said.
Many find the ihram impractical; pilgrims must carry their valuables in money belts or around their
necks and they are vulnerable to the mosquitoes and cool desert nights.
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| All the colours of the rainbow made up today's crowd |
Out of ihram, today's crowd looked remarkably colourful, the range of dress styles a reminder of
the global reach of Islam.
There was an air of goodwill and satisfaction as pilgrims wandered through Mina, smiles etched on
their faces, they had achieved their life's dream.
There were long queues at telephone booths as the new hajjis called home to share their experiences.
All that remains is to stone the Jamarat once more today and tomorrow, throwing seven pebbles at
each of the three pillars on each day. By sunset they all must be gone and the tents at Mina will
stand empty for another year.
Most will head to Mecca to pay a farewell visit to the Grand Mosque in Mecca for a final Tawaf,
thus completing their journey of faith and joining the ranks of millions who've come before them.
A Pakistani pilgrim summed up the feelings of many by declaring, "there is no greater pleasure than
following in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed".
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Live at the Hajj