Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have travelled to Mecca for the last days of the fasting month of Ramadan.

An influx of worshippers have descended on the Saudi Arabian city – the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad – for the last 10 days for what  believers consider the holiest month of the year.

Worshippers gather around Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba – a black square building at the Grand Mosque in Mecca which determines the direction of prayer for Muslims around the world.

The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to fall on 4 June this year, celebrates the end of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting.

Here The Independent has collated some of the best images from this years event, of worshippers who have made the journey to Mecca for the religious celebration.