Saudi Arabia has barred more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca this week, authorities said, as the world's largest annual gathering of people has officially begun.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has begun. It’s required once in a lifetime by every Muslim who can afford it and

Saudi authorities have stopped more than 2 lakh people from entering Mecca for Hajj. The authorities have taken this big step after considering multiple factors. This year, authorities have also banned entry of children under the age of 12.