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Pilgrims flood Makkah

MAKKAH - Pilgrims have been descending in droves on the holy city of Makkah for the Haj, the world’s largest annual gathering which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability shaking the region.

Walking in groups, mostly led by guides with their countries’ flags printed on their garments, faithful men and women have poured into the holy city to perform Umrah, ahead of the Haj rituals.

Officials say the main events, which begin on Wednesday, are expected to attract more than two million faithful from across the world.

Thursday marks the most important day, when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside the holy city. The pilgrimage ends after Eid Al Adha which will be celebrated on Friday.

“It’s my first time in holy city of Makkah for pilgrimage. I can’t wait to pray in Arafat,” said 32-year-old Koara Abdulrahman, a businessman from Burkina Faso.

Inside the Grand Mosque, scores of pilgrims continually circumambulate the holy Kaaba with many pushing their way through the crowds to kiss the walls of the structure that was first built by Abraham. Others pray or recite verses of the Holy Quran, while many sleep in corners.

“Right now, I’ve got all the good feelings you can think of,” said an Iranian pilgrim, her voice quivering and tears welling up in her eyes.

Authorities said more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived and the numbers are set to grow by Wednesday. Around 750,000 domestic pilgrims are also expected to take part in the rituals.

Despite several checkpoints on the roads leading to the holy city to prevent illegal travel, huge numbers of unauthorised devotees also join the Haj every year.

A bulk of pilgrims are from Asia, mostly from Indonesia which has the highest Haj quota.

It was unclear how many Syrians, whose country is being rocked by a civil war that began with a popular uprising against President Bashar Al Assad’s regime 19 months ago, will make the journey.

Damascus claimed in September that Saudi authorities have barred Syrians from travelling to this year’s Haj after the two sides failed “to reach consensus.”

But on Saturday, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz insisted that pilgrims from Syria are not being barred, except those who sent in their applications too late.

The Saudi envoy to Lebanon said last week that the kingdom will also grant visas to Syrians in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, where thousands of refugees are being accommodated.