MECCA, Saudi Arabia – At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual haj pilgrimage yesterday, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by the Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago.
Travelling on foot, by public transport and in private cars, the pilgrims will stream through a mountain pass to a valley at Mina, some three kilometres (two miles) outside Mecca. The path is the same that the Prophet himself took on his last pilgrimage.
The haj, one of the world’s biggest displays of mass religious devotion lasts for five days. In the past it has been marred by fires, hotel collapses, police clashes with protesters and deadly stampedes.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said on Wednesday the kingdom could not rule out an attack by Al Qaeda’s regional wing, although the kingdom’s forces were ready to combat any such operations.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula yesterday denied it had any intentions of targeting Muslim pilgrims at haj.
Islam is now embraced by a quarter of the world’s population and haj is a duty for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. Many wait for years to get a visa. (Reuters)
