Believers from all across the world flock to Islam's holiest site for Ramadan ceremony

Normally one of the world's largest religious gatherings, it had been scaled down to several thousand in recent years; only vaccinated people under 65 allowed to attend

Any foreigners seeking to perform Umrah must be immunized with Riyadh-recognized vaccine and agree to undergo quarantine upon arrival, authorities say

Only 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom take part in pilgrimage, far fewer than the vast crowds of 2.5 million that normally descend on Mecca

With hajj pilgrimage limited due to COVID restrictions, kingdom publishes high-resolution images of al-Hajar al-Aswad, which believers say fell from heaven at time of Adam and Eve

With at least 45 killed in Meron Lag B'Omer tragedy, Israel follows Saudi Arabia, India and Iraq as host of mass fatality crush at religious gathering

Authorities arrest driver in 'abnormal' state after he crashes vehicle through barrier and into door of holy site while worshipers pray inside, Saudi state news reports

Visitors can reserve a specific time and date in which to perform the pilgrimage, to avoid crowding and maintain social-distancing guidelines

After 2.5 million people visited Islam's holiest site in Mecca last year for pilgrimage, only between 1,000 and 10,000 to be allowed in this year by Saudi authorities

Pilgrims will be required to wear masks, observe social distancing during series of religious rites that are completed over five days in the holy city of Mecca and surrounding area