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Saudi
Arabia Warns Against Using Hajj To Criticize US
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Saudi
authorities say Hajj not a platform for slamming US |
RIYADH,
Feb. 10 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Saudi Arabia will
not allow the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites to be exploited as
a platform to criticize the United States, the governor of Mecca said in remarks
published Saturday, news agencies reported.
"This
will not happen - God willing. We will not allow it and we are prepared for
it," Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdul Aziz told Saudi newspaper Okaz
in response to a question about attempts to use the Hajj to criticize the United
States, AFP said.
"The
ministries of foreign affairs, interior and Hajj have informed all sides (that)
we will not allow the Hajj to be misused because it is a season for
worship," said Prince Abdul Majeed, who also heads the Hajj central
committee.
The
U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and warnings that other countries may soon face
America's wrath have aroused strong concern in the Muslim world that Islam is a
target.
In
July 1987, Saudi security forces clashed with Iranian pilgrims
holding a protest against Israel and the United States. Official Saudi
figures put the death toll at 402, including 275 Iranians.
Interior
Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz was scheduled to chair a meeting for the
Hajj higher committee on Saturday to review security and organization for the
huge gathering.
The
government has mobilized 60,000 employees and volunteers who will be deployed in
Mecca, including more than 9,000 medical staff and doctors, some of whom are
from abroad.
On
Friday, news agencies reported that Saudi Arabia has installed eye-scanning and
fingerprinting devices at a key airport, in a drive to tighten security at this
month's annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Individuals
selected randomly and considered "suspicious" among the hundreds of
thousands of Muslims arriving for the event will be taken aside to have their
irises digitally scanned, BBC’s online news service reported.
The
machines have been installed in the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in the
Red Sea port city of Jeddah, a Saudi official said.
The
U.S. has publicly praised Saudi Arabia for its support in the U.S.-led so-called
"war on terror", but there are fears that the huge Muslim gathering
could be a recruiting ground for those in sympathy with Al-Qaeda. "Those
suspected of being involved in terrorism activities will have their names listed
at all entry ports," said Saudi official Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim bin
Saleh Al-Hamdan.
The
hi-tech devices use a technique known as biometrics - recording individuals'
unique physical features - to gather data which will enable the Saudi
authorities to identify and track individual pilgrims.
The
official said that the number of intelligence officers had been significantly
increased for this year's annual pilgrimage.
Colonel
Al-Hamdan also said machines for detecting false passports had been installed.
These,
together with the biometrics technology, will help the Saudis cut down
immigration by visitors who do not return home after the pilgrimage.
More
than half a million Muslim pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi
Arabia for the pilgrimage that is due to begin in less than two weeks. Many more
are expected to enter the kingdom before the February 17 arrival deadline.
The
Saudi government reviewed preparations on Monday for the
pilgrimage amid expectations that record numbers will visit the sites this year
in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Saudi
Arabian Airlines has started a major airlift of pilgrims. Director general
Khaled bin Bakr said the national carrier will transport 780,000 pilgrims from
57 destinations, a 15 percent increase over last year.
Last
year's Hajj attracted two million pilgrims from abroad and from within the
kingdom. All Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once
in their lifetime provided they have the means to do so.
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