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Increased Hajj Security Measures In Fear Of Political Action
MECCA,
Feb. 17 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Millions of Muslims from all over
the world are converging in Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage to Islam’s
holiest shrine Sunday amid strict security set up in fear of political action.
Saudi
authorities have beefed up the security presence in and around Mecca to control
anticipated record numbers for the first mass gathering of Muslims since the
September 11 attack on the United States.
Muslim
anger at the United States for its backing of Israel has been fueled in recent
months by the backlash in the West against Muslims and Arabs after the September
11 attacks on U.S. landmarks.
Washington
claims the hijack attacks on Washington and New York that killed around 3,000
people were carried out by 19 Arab followers of Saudi-born Osama bin Laden.
Saudi
Arabia has warned that it will not tolerate any political or anti-U.S. rallies
during the hajj, which has in the past witnessed spillover of political
tensions.
Thousands
of police and security personnel have been deployed at the major sacred sites on
the outskirts of the city, which pilgrims visit as part of elaborate three-day
rituals that begin Wednesday, AFP reported.
The
authorities have mobilized some 60,000 employees and volunteers, in addition to
20,000 soldiers and security men for the hajj. Experts predict a turnout of
around 2.5 million pilgrims, some 500,000 more than last year, due mainly to the
September 11 attacks and tension in the Islamic world.
Saudi
authorities have appealed for a peaceful pilgrimage and warned they will not
allow any political activity or protests, particularly against the United
States.
"We
have made all the arrangements. We will not permit, in any case, demonstrations
or marches during the pilgrimage," Interior Minister Nayef bin Abdel Aziz
told a press conference in Riyadh. "We are totally and firmly ready to face
any incident with wisdom, firmness and force," he warned.
He
said that the authorities were opposed to any gathering that was not part of the
traditional rites of the pilgrimage.
Saudi
King Fahd warned pilgrims to avoid any disturbance or activity in violation of
the sanctity of the event.
Imam
of the Grand Mosque Osama Khayyat urged pilgrims during his Friday sermon to
stay away from trouble and to focus on the benefits of hajj. Some two million
worshippers prayed at the mosque at noon Friday.
Saudi
Arabia has already spent billions of dollars improving the hajj infrastructure
following a string of recent disasters. Saudi authorities have deployed an army
of police, doctors, sanitation and other workers to serve the pilgrims.
Saturday
midnight (2100 GMT) is the deadline for pilgrims to arrive by plane. The Saudi
government has granted several exemptions to land after the deadline, the
official told AFP.
Saudi
Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines, the Grand
Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
The
hajj, which culminates with Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), will reach its
climax on February 21 where prayers are said at Mount Arafat, the site of
Prophet Mohammad's last sermon 14 centuries ago. Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the
sacrifice, starts Friday when every pilgrim must sacrifice sheep. The meat is
donated to the needy.
Hajj
is a pillar of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who has the financial means must
perform it once a lifetime. Muslims believe those who perform it with a sincere
heart will be forgiven for previous sins.
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