Hajj Pilgrimage Entangled in Web of Saudi Politics

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- More than 1.7 million Muslims from around the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage this week. Once in Mecca — the site of Islam's holiest place of worship— they will be reminded that the ruling Al Saud family is the only custodian of this place.

Large portraits of the king and the country's founder hang in hotel lobbies across the city. A massive clock tower bearing the name of King Salman's predecessor flashes fluorescent green lights at worshippers below. A large new wing of the Grand Mosque in Mecca is named after a former Saudi king, and one of the mosque's entrances is named after another.