Thousands of Muslim have been arriving in the Saudi city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
As the sun rose over Mount Arafat, a sea of pilgrims began converging on the region.
Adnan Terkawi, from Syria, had thoughts for peace throughout the Middle East.
"I supplicate to God for calm in all Arab and Muslim countries, and in Syria in particular. I hope that Syria will return to normal as a safe and secure country," he confided.
Other pilgrims were basking in the significance of the Hajj, which is one of the pillars of Islam and is considered the ultimate act of worship for Muslims.
Sahar Hanafi, from Egypt, has been planning this trip for years.
"I have been hoping to come [to Hajj] for five years," she said. "I cry when I see the pilgrims on television. At long last I'm here, I feel that the wordly life in nothing." she said.
Others shared Sahar's excitement for making the Hajj pilgrimage.
"This is the big day in my life and I feel too much holy and too much happy. We don't have feeling to express this , how much I feel," said Mohammad Makbul, a Pakistani pilgrim.
Amneh Shamari, a young pilgrim from Syria, is also very excited.
"Today is the climax of the great Hajj, the best day," she said.
Muslims are expected to make at least one visit to Mecca.
The Hajj observance is in the midst of a five day run, which began on Wednesday.
Muslims Take Part in the Hajj
1/14Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar, symbolizing the stoning of Satan, in a ritual called "Jamarat," a rite of the annual Hajj, the Islamic faith's most holy pilgrimage, in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
2/14Youssef, 3, a Muslim pilgrim from Egypt walks with his grandfather to casts stones at a pillar near the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 26, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
3/14A Muslim pilgrim has his head ritually shaved after he cast stones at a pillar in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca, October 26, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
4/14Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of October 25, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
5/14Muslim pilgrims pray near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
6/14Crowds bow in prayer outside the mosque of the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
7/14Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba to pray inside the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 23, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
8/14A man carries a sheep through a livestock market in Sanaa, October 24, 2012. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha to mark the end of the Hajj by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
9/14A boy dances with a sheep at a livestock market ahead of Eid al-Adha festival in Sanaa, October 24, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
10/14Muslim pilgrims pray outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 23, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
11/14Muslim pilgrims pray outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 23, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
12/14A Muslim pilgrim shops in a gold market in Mecca, October 23, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
13/14Muslim pilgrims leave the Grand mosque after the noon prayer in Mecca, October 22, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
14/14Muslim pilgrims pray outside the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 22, 2012.
Millions of Muslims are taking part in the final phase of their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims who came to Mecca earlier this week are now taking part in the ritual stoning of the devil.
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