Millions of Muslims start Mecca pilgrimage

(28 Dec. 2006) : Around three million Muslim believers on Thursday started the annual pilgrimage to Mecca for Haj. On Friday the pilgrims start their journey towards Mount Arafat, spending the day in prayer in symbolic anticipation of the Day of Judgement. On Saturday, returning to Mecca, they will celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice -Eid Al Adha-, which commemorates the sacrifice that God demanded of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael. The Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims are obliged to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able. Many of those who decide to go on the pilgrimage are elderly people who have saved money for their entire lives to be able to reach Mecca.

In a bid to avert stampedes that cause the death of hundreds of people each year, new security measures have been put in place. Last year, 364 people died during the Haj in Mina valley as they were preparing for a ritual that entails hurling stones at a wall. Another crush of people two years ago claimed 251 lives. Both incidents took place at the foot of a bridge, Jamarat, from where pilgrims throw stones at three pillars that symbolize the power of evil. Old age and the hardships of the journey are also another leading cause of death. The Saudi Health Ministry said more than 9,600 medical personnel have been mobilised and 21 field hospitals set up. At least 50,000 policemen have been deployed to guarantee order.