As Muslims pilgrims descend in droves On Mecca for the Haj pilgrimage, we bring to you pictures from the gathering which sees millions of the devout converging on Mecca

An aerial view shows Muslim pilgrims gathering at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on October 22, 2012. Muslim pilgrims are descending in droves on Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage, the world's largest annual gathering which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability rocking the region.