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300,000 Muslim pilgrims pour into Saudi Arabia for Haj
Riyadh, Jan 22: More than 300,000 Muslim pilgrims have already arrived for the annual Haj pilgrimage to Islam`s holiest sites next month, according to latest Saudi figures.
Riyadh, Jan 22: More than 300,000 Muslim pilgrims have already arrived for the annual Haj pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites next month, according to latest Saudi figures.
A majority of the pilgrims flew in, while the rest
arrived by sea and land.
The last day for entry into Saudi Arabia is five days before the Haj climax which is expected to fall this year on February 11, depending on lunar sightings.
Indonesians make up the largest number of the faithful and have a total Haj quota of 200,000 this year, followed by 130,000 Pakistanis, 1,16,000 Indians, 1,03,000 Turks, 91,000 Iranians and 88,000 Egyptians.
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for around 2.5 million pilgrims from inside the kingdom and from abroad, amid a looming US war against neighbouring Iraq.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has started a major airlift. Director general Khaled Bin Bakr said the carrier will transport 900,000 pilgrims, a 17 per cent increase over last year, from 70 destinations aboard 1,754 flights.
Last year's Haj attracted more than two million pilgrims.
Deputy interior minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz said Saudi missions abroad issued pilgrimage visas for more than 1.3 million Muslims. Several hundred thousands are expected from within Mecca itself.
Security forces were preparing to set up road blocks around Mecca, western Saudi Arabia, to prevent unauthorised entry into the holy city.
Prince Ahmad pledged that security forces will be ready to maintain law and order, particularly in light of the tense situation over Iraq. Bureau Report
The last day for entry into Saudi Arabia is five days before the Haj climax which is expected to fall this year on February 11, depending on lunar sightings.
Indonesians make up the largest number of the faithful and have a total Haj quota of 200,000 this year, followed by 130,000 Pakistanis, 1,16,000 Indians, 1,03,000 Turks, 91,000 Iranians and 88,000 Egyptians.
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for around 2.5 million pilgrims from inside the kingdom and from abroad, amid a looming US war against neighbouring Iraq.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has started a major airlift. Director general Khaled Bin Bakr said the carrier will transport 900,000 pilgrims, a 17 per cent increase over last year, from 70 destinations aboard 1,754 flights.
Last year's Haj attracted more than two million pilgrims.
Deputy interior minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz said Saudi missions abroad issued pilgrimage visas for more than 1.3 million Muslims. Several hundred thousands are expected from within Mecca itself.
Security forces were preparing to set up road blocks around Mecca, western Saudi Arabia, to prevent unauthorised entry into the holy city.
Prince Ahmad pledged that security forces will be ready to maintain law and order, particularly in light of the tense situation over Iraq. Bureau Report