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Saudi Official: No Anti-American Rallies During Hajj VOA News 9 Feb 2002 20:45 UTC 
A senior Saudi official says Saudi Arabia will not allow pilgrims to use the coming hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, as a platform to criticize the United States.
The statement by Governor of Mecca Prince Abdul Majid was published Saturday in Saudi newspaper Okaz.
Prince Majid, who also heads the central hajj committee, said the hajj is a season for worship, and that all sides have been informed that rallies will not be allowed.
More than half a million Muslim pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage which is due to begin in less than two weeks. Many more are expected before the February 17 arrival deadline.
Last year's hajj attracted two million people. All Muslims are required to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime, provided they have the means to do so.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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