(VOVworld) - Nearly two million pilgrims gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj, starting from September 10.

An electronic identification bracelet given to worshippers (AFP)

This year is the first time in nearly three decades that Iran has not sent pilgrims to the six-day religious gathering because Iran and Saudi Arabia failed to reach agreements on the pilgrimage. Following last year's stampede which killed around 2,300, Saudi Arabian officials applied new measures to ensure safety for the pilgrims. Any worshiper was given an electronic identification bracelet which holds data including the pilgrim's identity, nationality, and place of lodging in Mecca.

The annual Haji in Saudi Arabia often gathers about two million Muslims around the world every year.