Pilgrims converge in Mecca for Hajj

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from across the globe began the annual hajj pilgrimage yesterday in one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, reports AFP from Mecca. In what for many will be the highlight of their spiritual lives, pilgrims began moving from Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca to nearby Mina for the start of the six-day event. Almost two million people are expected to take part in this year's pilgrimage, undeterred by a crane collapse at Mecca's Grand Mosque earlier this month that killed 109 people and injured nearly 400 at Islam's holiest site. Joyous pilgrims like 35-year-old Egyptian Walaa Ali had been gathering for days ahead of the event. "It is a gift from God that He has chosen us to come here," Ali said with tears in her eyes, as preachers nearby explained the history
and rituals of the hajj to men and women sitting side by side in Mecca. "I am so happy to be here," she said. This year's hajj takes place against a backdrop of increased jihadist violence in some Muslim countries, a surge of the potentially deadly MERS virus and the war in Saudi Arabia's neighbour Yemen.
The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life.
Previously marred by stampedes and fires that killed hundreds, the pilgrimage had been largely incident-free for the past decade after safety improvements.
But preparations for this year's event were marred when a construction crane working on an expansion of the Grand Mosque collapsed during severe winds.
Saudis, Iranians, Nigerians, Malaysians, Indonesians
and Indians were among
the dead.
About 100,000 police have been deployed to secure pilgrimage sites and manage the crowds, and authorities say they are on alert
for possible attacks by extremists.

Pilgrims converge in Mecca for Hajj

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from across the globe began the annual hajj pilgrimage yesterday in one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, reports AFP from Mecca. In what for many will be the highlight of their spiritual lives, pilgrims began moving from Saudi Arabias holy city of Mecca to nearby Mina for the start of the six-day event. Almost two million people are expected to take part in this years pilgrimage, undeterred by a crane collapse at Meccas Grand Mosque earlier this month that killed 109 people and injured nearly 400 at Islams holiest site. Joyous pilgrims like 35-year-old Egyptian Walaa Ali had been gathering for days ahead of the event. It is a gift from God that He has chosen us to come here, Ali said with tears in her eyes, as preachers nearby explained the history and rituals of the hajj to men and women sitting side by side in Mecca. I am so happy to be here, she said. This years hajj takes place against a backdrop of increased jihadist violence in some Muslim countries, a surge of the potentially deadly MERS virus and the war in Saudi Arabias neighbour Yemen. The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life. Previously marred by stampedes and fires that killed hundreds, the pilgrimage had been largely incident-free for the past decade after safety improvements. But preparations for this years event were marred when a construction crane working on an expansion of the Grand Mosque collapsed during severe winds. Saudis, Iranians, Nigerians, Malaysians, Indonesians and Indians were among the dead. About 100,000 police have been deployed to secure pilgrimage sites and manage the crowds, and authorities say they are on alert for possible attacks by extremists.