Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, who has been serving as ambassador to Germany, will replace Ibrahim al-Assaf; no reason given for switch

In TV segment, Muslims hold hajj ceremony purporting to 'disavow polytheists' but in fact dedicated to stoking anti-Western sentiment

2.5 million people complete 5-day pilgrimage required of all believers at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able

All Muslims with the means to do so are required to make the trip once in a lifetime; rituals include entering state of purity, stoning of the devil

Survivors and relatives of victims in Christchurch mosque shooting arrive in Mecca for annual Islamic ritual

More than 2.5 million Muslims are expected to make the annual pilgrimage this year

Saudi King Salman flying in 200 survivors and victims' relatives on annual pilgrimage to Islamic holy site

As diplomatic spat between Gulf neighbors continues, Doha calls on Riyadh to lift all restrictions on worshipers wishing to carry out pilgrimage during holy month of Ramadan