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More Than 1.8M Pilgrims Gather in Mecca Ahead of the Hajj

Associated Press

   JIDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia says more than 1.8 million Muslims
   from around the world have arrived in the country to take part in the
   hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, that starts on Friday.

   The Director General of Passports, Gen. Suleiman al-Yehya, announced
   the figure Wednesday, saying close to 970,000 male and 868,000 female
   pilgrims had arrived to Saudi Arabia for the hajj. In total, more than
   2 million people, including Saudis and expatriate residents of the
   kingdom, are expected to take part this year.
   Muslims are required to perform the five-day hajj at least once in
   their lifetime if they are able to do it. The pilgrimage is meant to
   draw the faithful closer to God.
   The Saudi government has spent billions of dollars to improve the
   safety of the pilgrimage in recent years, particularly in Mina where
   the deadliest incidents have occurred.

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