Saudi Arabia ? The largest hajj ever went off without a hitch.

There were none of the deadly stampedes that have marred past Islamic pilgrimages. Hundreds of thousands of the faithful returned to Mecca from a holy site Tuesday outside the city to perform the “farewell” circling of the Kaaba, the black stone cube that Muslims around the world face during daily prayers.

This year’s hajj took place at a time of crises around the Islamic world – particularly in Iraq – and Saudi authorities had warned against any political demonstrations during the five-day pilgrimage. But none took place – even when former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was executed on the third day of the pilgrimage, deeply dividing Arabs. Many Shiite pilgrims applauded his death, while many Sunni Arabs were angered.