The prince of Mecca and the head of the central hajj committee, Abdulmajid bin Abdelaziz, asserted that the Saudi authorities have taken the necessary measures to ban the organization of political marches and demonstrations that would condemn the US during the pilgrimage season.
In statements issued in "Okaz" newspaper on Saturday, Prince Abdulmajid said that the hajj is a period to worship that should be performed in a holy, stable and a comfortable atmosphere.
In 1987, more than 400 Iranian pilgrims died in clashes with the Sayudi security forces. The tragic incident led to the severing of Tehran-Riyadh relations that were restored only last year. The hajj this year will take place during the last week of February.
More than 750,000 faithful have already arrived in the Kingdom for the pilgrimage that begins on Feb. 21. Many more are expected to enter the Kingdom before a Feb. 17 arrival deadline.
According to official figure, 738,555 pilgrims arrived from abroad by Friday evening. Among them 684,591 came by plane, 44,954 by land and 9,010 by ship. (Albawaba.com)
