CAIRO,
December 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Increasing numbers of Muslim
pilgrims from Macedonia and Bosnia are readying themselves for hajj
this year.
"The
number of Macedonian pilgrims has increased by hundreds this
year," a source at the Muslim Scholars League told
IslamOnline.net Tuesday, December 27.
"The
increase comes despite most Macedonian pilgrims having to perform the
Islamic ritual at their own expense," he added.
Hajj
costs range this year between 1200 euros for land travel to Makkah,
while it costs 1950 euros for air flights.
The
first batch of Macedonian pilgrims left for Makkah by road last week
and are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia Tuesday.
Two
more batches will fly to perform the Islamic ritual Wednesday,
December 28.
Indefinite
Numbers
Seeking
to perform hajj, Macedonian Muslims either apply for the Albanian
Islamic League or to private travel operators.
"The
League has agreed with Saudi authorities to provide 700 hajj
opportunities for Macedonian Muslims," the League's deputy
chairman Bahri Effendi said.
"Indefinite
numbers of Macedonian pilgrims also go for hajj through private travel
operators," he added.
Gathering
in main mosques in their cities before heading for the spiritual
journey, Macedonian pilgrims receive religious lessons on hajj
rituals.
Macedonian
Muslims, mainly Albanians and Turks, represent 30 percent of the
country’s some two million population.
Orthodox
Christians represent some 67 percent, according to the CIA World
Factbook.
Bosnians
In
Bosnia, more Muslim pilgrims area also preparing for hajj this year.
Some
1279 Muslim pilgrims have applied to perform the Islamic ritual this
year, compared to only 1129 pilgrims last year.
The
first batch of Bosnian pilgrims left for Makkah December 21.
A
second batch is expected to leave by air Wednesday, December 28.
Hajj
costs range this year 1950 euros per person for air flights.
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