Two million Muslims arrive at Mecca in Saudi Arabia for hajj pilgrimage two years after stampede killed more than 2,000 believers

>  Pilgrimage to hajj is seen by Muslims as an important religious duty and for many, a journey of a lifetime

>  This year sees the return of pilgrims from Shiite Iran, regional rival to Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia

>  Last year a deadly Mecca stampede killed nearly 2,300 pilgrims with 464 Iranians among the fatalities

Two million Muslims from around the world have arrived in Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage two years after a deadly stampede killed more than 2,000 worshippers. 

Shiite Muslims from Iran returned to Mecca in Saudia Arabia, following the biggest catastrophe in the history of the hajj.

Last year the tragedy killed nearly 2,300 pilgrims with 464 Iranians among the fatalities, leading to officials in Tehran criticising Saudi Arabia's organisation of the pilgrimage.

The two countries severed diplomatic relations in January 2016 after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was ransacked by a crowd protesting against the execution in the kingdom of a Shiite religious dignitary.

However, neither Iran or its Sunni regional rival, wants to  prolong the dispute.

This year's hajj pilgrimage also comes at a time when the Gulf is mired by a political crisis and ISIS continues to fight in Iraq and Syria.

For nearly three months, Saudi Arabia and its allies have faced off against Qatar, which they accuse of being too close to Iran and backing extremism.

A boycott imposed on the small but gas-rich emirate since June 5 has resulted in Qatar's land, sea and air links being badly affected.

This has also had a knock-on effect on hajj-related travel, although Riyadh announced it was relaxing certain restrictions for pilgrims.

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