In pictures: Hajj reaches climax

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have climbed to the top of Mount Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, at the climax of their annual pilgrimage, or Hajj.

Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is required to make the pilgrimage at least once during their lifetime.

They gathered in their thousands on Mount Arafat

For many, it was a slow procession to the holy site

Pilgrims shout prayers from the roof of a van on their way to the Namera mosque

A pilgrim from India prays for forgiveness at the site of the prophet's last sermon

Others prayed for an end to "the Israeli occupation of Palestine"

Some paused along the route to read from the holy Koran

After prayers, pilgrims "stone the devil" and sacrifice animals.