Pakistan, Britain, and Saudi Arabia are helping Afghanistan overcome a shortage of airliners as thousands of Muslims desperately try to fly to Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The pilgrims have paid 15-hundred dollars each for tickets to fly to the Saudi holy city. But Afghanistan's national airline only has one operational plane that has so far transported only a few hundred pilgrims.

Responding to an appeal for help from Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai, President Pervez Musharraf sent a Pakistani International Airlines flight to Kabul Sunday to pick up nearly 300 travelers.

Saudi Arabia has also sent planes to Kabul, while Britain plans to fly pilgrims in four military transport planes.

About two million Muslims are converging on Mecca for the hajj amid Saudi government warnings against political activity.

Saudi authorities say police will use force if necessary to stop events that are not part of the traditional rites of the pilgrimage. The imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque is urging pilgrims to stay away from any disturbance during the hajj.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is able to must perform the pilgrimage at least once. Islamic tradition holds Mount Arafat outside Mecca is the place where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven 14 centuries ago.

This year's pilgrimage climaxes Thursday, when the pilgrims walk to Mount Arafat and pray for forgiveness.

(afp, ap, prev)

Email this article to a friend
Printer Friendly Version