Photos: Aamir Khan returns from Haj with his mother

Nov 02, 2012 11:46am

Actor Aamir Khan who took his mother for Haj pilgrimage this month is clicked at the airport by the shutterbugs on his way back. In this photo, the families of those returning from Haj wait eagerly at the airport.
Yogen Shah
Aamir Khan kept his promise to his mother Zeenat of taking her to Mecca for the holy Haj pilgrimage.
Yogen Shah
They left for Haj right after the music launch of Talaash on October 19, 2012.
Yogen Shah
They went to Mina and Medinah during the pilgrimage that is considered the holiest by Muslims.
Yogen Shah
The mother-son duo were spotted at the holy city of Mecca in the holy month of Dhul Hijja.
Yogen Shah
Aamir smiles at the photographers at the airport on his way back from Haj.
Yogen Shah
Despite his busy schedule ahead of Talaash and Dhoom 3, Aamir chose to take some time off for the pilgrimage.
Yogen Shah
He was seen pushing his mother's wheelchair in the holy city of Mecca.
Yogen Shah
Millions of pilgrims arrived in Mecca for Islam's annual haj pilgrimage. The Grand Mosque, the focal point of the Islamic faith, was already teeming with joyful pilgrims at dawn, wearing the simple white folds of cloth prescribed for haj, many of them having slept on the white marble paving outside.
Yogen Shah
Haj must be performed at least once in their lifetime by all Muslims capable of making the expensive, difficult journey, a duty that applies equally to Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims at a time of tension between Islam's main sects.
Yogen Shah
Last year nearly 3 million pilgrims performed the haj, with roughly a third from inside the conservative kingdom. The Saudi authorities said there have so far been 1.7 million arrivals from abroad and about 200,000 from inside Saudi Arabia.
Yogen Shah
Mecca's merchants, famed across the Arab world, are doing a thriving trade as pilgrims stock up on souvenirs such as prayer beads and mats, Korans, dates, gold and zamzam water, pumped from a holy well.
Yogen Shah
All Muslims must face towards the Kaaba, the huge black cube at the center of the Grand Mosque, five times a day for prayer, making a visit to the sanctuary a powerful experience.
Yogen Shah
Pilgrims must circle it seven times when they arrive in Mecca.
Yogen Shah