Sri Lanka, May 25 -- Over 1.5 million Muslims began filling a vast tent city in the holy city of Mecca on Monday (May 25) for an annual Haj pilgrimage carried out against the backdrop of hopes for an end to the war in the Middle East.

The white-robed pilgrims on buses or on foot arrived at the sprawling encampment in Mina after performing the "tawaf" - walking seven times around the Kaaba, the giant black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque.

As pilgrims arrived in Mina in waves, temperatures hit 45degC in the area as Saudi health authorities called on Haj participants to use umbrellas and reduce sun exposure to prevent heat exhaustion.

The start of the Haj came as US President Donald Trump continued to send mixed signals over a possible agree...