|
Muslims Begin Hajj in Mecca VOA News 20 Feb 2002 09:32 UTC 
The annual Muslim pilgrimage, or hajj, is underway in Mecca, with more than two-million Muslims from around the world participating.
The five-day rituals began Wednesday without incident, amid stringent security measures in the Muslim holy city. Saudi Arabia has deployed thousands of soldiers and police to monitor the pilgrims' safety. Riyadh has warned it will crack down on any trouble.
About 1.5 million Muslims from more than 120 countries have entered Saudi Arabia for this year's pilgrimage. More than 500,000 pilgrims are from inside the kingdom. The rituals start at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, where pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times. The worshippers then retrace the steps of the Prophet Mohammad to pray in the Mina valley. Thursday, they ascend the hill of Arafat where the prophet gave his last sermon. Pilgrims conduct other rituals in Muzdalifa and Mina en route back to Mecca. All able-bodied Muslims are to complete the hajj at least once, if they have the means to do so.
The deadline for the arrival of foreign pilgrims for this year's hajj expired Sunday, although authorities have made exceptions for some late arrivals, including many from Afghanistan. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Britain are helping to transport Afghans who were stranded in Kabul without flights.
Accidents have occurred in the past, including a stampede last year that killed 35 pilgrims and fires in 1997 that killed more than 300.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.
|