According to Saudi officials close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have journeyed to the country so far for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

This year’s pilgrimage will be the first without any of the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many more pilgrims are expected to arrive before the start of the Hajj on Monday.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are expected to undertake it at least once in their lives, provided they are physically and financially able to do so.

Saudi officials say they expect the number of pilgrims in 2023 to reach pre-pandemic levels.

In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the Hajj pilgrimage.