People starting to pray salatul Asr in congregation outside Masjide Haram

The Ka'ba is located within the Masjide Haram. Muslims from all over the world face the Kaba when they pray their five daily compulsory prayers. Also, many travel to Makkah for the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or the Hajj (annual pilgrimage). The Hajj is compulsory on every Muslim to do once in their lifetime, if he or she have the financial and medical means for it.

During the Hajj millions of Muslims travel from every corner of the earth to perform this ritual. The mosque is too small for everybody, so many must offer their prayers outside the mosque, just like those on the picture. During these days the crowd is so huge that men and women pray side by side. There is no other way, but people try to make groups of women and groups of men for prayers.