Local Editor

With the start of the Hajj, pilgrims enter the stage of ihram -a state of purity in which they must not wear perfume, cut their nails, or trim their hair or beards.

During ihram, men wear a seamless two-piece shroud-like white garment, symbolizing resurrection and emphasizing unity regardless of social status or nationality.

Women must wear loose dresses exposing only their faces and hands.

They are following the 1,400-year-old tradition of the Prophet Mohammed.

The Hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform the pilgrimage at least once in their life.

Previously marred by stampedes and fires that killed hundreds, it had been largely incident-free for the past decade after safety improvements.

But on September 11, during severe winds, a construction crane toppled into a courtyard of Mecca's Grand Mosque.

Saudis, Iranians, Nigerians, Malaysians, Indonesians and Indians were among the dead.

Authorities say they are on the alert for possible attacks by "ISIL", which has carried out bombings targeting mosques in the kingdom in recent months.

Security forces have taken "measures to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage," said interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki.

The ministry says 100,000 police have been deployed to secure Hajj.

"We take all possibilities into consideration during Hajj. This includes the kingdom being targeted by terrorist organizations," Turki said.

Among other challenges facing Saudi authorities this year is potential transmission of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV].

The capital Riyadh saw a jump in infections last month.

But health officials have insisted that so far no MERS infections have been recorded among pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia is the country worst affected by MERS, with 528 deaths since the virus appeared in 2012.

The health ministry has mobilized thousands of health workers to help secure a virus-free pilgrimage.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team