Small groups of pilgrims have performed one of the final rites of the Islamic hajj as Muslims worldwide marked the start of Eid al-Adha.

Muslims are arriving at Islam’s holiest site in Mecca for the start of a unique and scaled-down hajj experience reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. The hajj is one of Islam’s most important requirements, performed once in a lifetime.

Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom’s oversight of one of Islam’s key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic.

A Saudi official says the Hajj pilgrimage, which usually draws millions of Muslims from all over the world, will only see at the most “thousands” of pilgrims next month due to the Covid-19 pandemic.