Dawn breaks on millions of Muslims as the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws to a close... and Eid festival begins

The white-robed pilgrims formed an endless sea of white as their chants 'Labyek Allah' or 'Here I am, God, answering your calling' reverberated overhead.

Sunrise: Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat, to celebrate Mohammed's message, given on this day in the Islamic calendar 1,378 years ago

Sea of white: Some Muslims wake early to pray while others rest on the Mount of Mercy

The climb at Arafat is one of the cornerstones of the pilgrimage, which it is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim to mak eat least once in their lifetime.

It is the site where Islam's Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon and Muslims believe on this day the doors of heavens open to answer prayers and grant forgiveness.

As they began their climb from the tent-city in the valley, many of the pilgrims looked tired from lack of sleep, having spent the entire night praying.

Daybreak: As the sun rises Hajj pilgrims congregate on Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in Arafat, as part of the important ritual of the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa are the three stops on the pilgrims' journey during the hajj, as worshippers trace the steps of Prophet Muhammad.

The hajj draws millions of worshippers each year, the sheer numbers a challenge in preventing stampedes at holy sites, fires in pilgrim encampments and the spread of disease.

This year Saudi authorities have taken new measures to improve crowd management, including launching a new light-rail system to transport pilgrims between the shrines.