Thousands of faithful began to leave the holy city of MAKKAH on Friday after having completed the Hajj pilgrimage in scorching heat and despite the shadow of war across the Middle East.

This year more than 1.7 million people from 165 countries took part in one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, against the backdrop of the conflict sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran. More than 30,000 Iranians also made the journey to the holy city, about a third of the 86,000 originally expected.

“I can’t believe I completed the Hajj,” said Ahmed Mamdouh, a 37-year-old Egyptian who performed the pilgrimage for the first time. Fighting back tears, he added: “I am very happy that I completed the rituals safely. Hajj is truly exhausting, especially in such hot weather.”

Algerian pilgrim Al-Zaoui, 74, standing with his wife, said, “It was our dream to perform the Hajj together. Now that dream has come true after 50 years of marriage.”

On Friday, the faithful completed the third day of a stoning ritual in the valley of Mina, southeast of Makkah, during which they throw pebbles at concrete pillars symbolising the devil. The pilgrims then board buses to the Grand Mosque to perform the farewell “tawaf”— walking seven times around the Kaaba.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so. It involves a series of mostly outdoor rituals over several days and took place during intense heat this year.

After more than 1,300 people died during the 2024 hajj, when temperatures soared above 50C, Saudi authorities introduced heat-mitigation measures, including more shaded areas and thousands of extra health workers.

This year’s gathering was held in temperatures exceeding 40C.