Around 11,000 Chinese Muslims are flying from China to Mecca in Saudi Arabia this year, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. On Saturday, the last group took off from Beijing, part of a government-organized trip that's been running for more than five decades.

Heading for holiness. 290 Chinese citizens wait to start their annual pilgrimage to Mecca. They're the last group among more than 11,000 Chinese Muslims, taking part in a long running travel initiative organized by the Chinese Government.

Islam is the world's second largest religion, with over a billion followers. It's articulated by the Quran, a book considered to be the verbatim words of God, and by the teachings and example of Muhammad, considered to be the last prophet of God. The word Islam means submission to the will of god.

Once a year, Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca, to praise Allah.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, between one and two percent of the country's population.

The Chinese Government has been helping to send Islamic pilgrims to Mecca since 1955... and the numbers are increasing year by year.

Mecca is located in West Saudi Arabia. As the birthplace of Muhammad, it's regarded as the holiest city in Islam. But with continued instability in many countries in and around the middle east, there are always security concerns.

For Muslims, the pilgrimage to Mecca is the fifth and final obligation of Islam that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it and are physically able.

(CNTV.cn September 28, 2013)