The Haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. Every able bodied and financially capable Muslim adult is required to complete the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Every year, Muslims from about 160 countries or so converge in western Saudi Arabia to complete the journey.

The pilgrimage comes to a close Monday, but not before a blizzard of photographs of the holy journey. Previously, camera phones were not allowed due to security concerns. The desire of some Haj-goers to capture their visit through selfies sparked a huge debate. While some clerics were up in arms about it, most pilgrims say it will be hard to stop the selfie fever in years to come.

This is the selfie that started it all




AJ+ has a brilliant video on the debate on #HajjSelfie.



Here is what the others had to say on the debate



 









Finally, beyond the debate, here are some of the best #HajjSelfie’s from the pilgrimage this year.



 






 





 





 





 





 





 


This year, more than 2 million pilgrims took part in the journey and on Saturday participated in one of the final rites of the pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice as it is known honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a test of faith from God. As Abraham was about to perform the sacrifice, God intervened by replacing Ishmael with a sheep.


(Baraa Al-Halabi/AFP)