An estimated 2.5 million Muslims converged on Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage on November 25 when the pilgrims arrived in Mina to begin the 6-day ritual which brings Muslims from around the world. Though exact numbers are difficult to get, early estimates place the number of those arriving from abroad at 830,000. However, the congregation is joined by large number of expatriates who are employed in the country.
While we went to the press on November 25, the assembly was preparing to leave for Arafat grounds where a dusk-to-dawn stay and prayers constitute the most central element of the annual pilgrimage.
The Grand Mosque has though been expanded to hold more than a million people, the Saudi Hajj authorities have been working to boost its capacity further to cope with the steadily rising number of pilgrims. Work is under way to double the mosque's capacity by adding another 300,000 square meters, according to a Hajj official, after King Abdullah agreed two years ago that the northern mosque's esplanades could be expanded.
“We have worked round the clock to complete the expansion. Thanks to God, we have completed the main phase, which included demolishing houses and buildings at the northern end,” said Abdel-Ghani, a technician working on the site.
“Now the area is ready to install the sunshades,” he added. Hundreds of bulldozers, cranes and lorries were still operating up until Nov. 25 on the expansion work when the Hajj began, but the new area will not be ready before next year's Hajj.
Other expansion projects have been completed in time, including widening the neighbouring footpath between the Safa and Marwah hills in Makkah, which has been turned into a four-level path, allowing a faster flow of pilgrims.
More than 100,000 security personnel and 20,000 medical staff were deployed to secure the pilgrims in Makkah and Medina.
The Jamarat bridge was also being monitored by 600 closed circuit TV cameras, while the Grand Mosque and its surroundings were watched by 1,852 cameras.
Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz warned on Nov. 22, Sunday that he hoped that security forces would not be compelled to “resort to force” to maintain security during the hajj, in a reference to fears that Iranian pilgrims may stage demonstrations.
The run-up to this year's Hajj has been marked by a war of words between Tehran and Riyadh over Iranian allegations that the Saudis, who are mostly Sunni Muslims, mistreat the predominantly Shiite Hajj pilgrims from Iran. In 1987, Saudi police attempts to stifle an annual anti-US protest by Iranian pilgrims led to a riot in which 402 people died, including 275 Iranians.
The authorities banned the use of small vehicles in the holy sites. "The decision to ban small vehicles carrying less than 25 passengers was implemented after studying it over the past two years," said the spokesman.
"With the speed train project for the holy sites reaching its final stage of completion, authorities have found that it is time to implement the ban on small vehicles."
Despite strict norms against allowing pilgrims susceptible to swine flu, especially persons aged 65 and more and kids, four deaths were reported before the Hajj began. These included a Moroccan, a Nigerian girl and an Indian while the fourth could not be identified.
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December 2009 |
