Many informal traders continue to make a living from pilgrims at the site of the famous Battle of Uhud, despite a crackdown by the municipality.

The site is one of many in Madinah popular among pilgrims. It has several graves of martyrs including Hamza bin Abdul Muttaleb, uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Photographers walking around with instant cameras to take pictures of pilgrims, say this is their only source of income. They charge SR10 for one photograph and SR15 for two.

Ahmed Al-Marei, a photographer, told Arab News: “This is our livelihood. The municipal inspectors make life difficult for us. We often have to hide among the pilgrims when they arrive."

He said he earns about SR250 a day during the Umrah season and more during Haj.

Arab News saw dozens of other traders with carts and kiosks spread across the ancient battlefield between the Al-Rumat Mountain and the graveyard of the martyrs, in a haphazard and unpleasant manner. They sell trinkets, plants, dates and other goods.

Pilgrims keep these traders in business buying goods from them. Many Pakistanis, Indians, Indonesians and Turks buy exotic-looking plants from the traders.

Several young people, who appear no older than 15, also frequent the site offering their services as tourist guides for a fee. It is unclear what they charge the pilgrims.

Taxi drivers also make money from pilgrims by transporting them to these and other historical sites in Madinah.