Hajj brings health, security fears
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Hajj pilgrims pray in Mecca in this 2002 file photo.
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(CNN) -- Muslims are converging on the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad.
The ritual has been plagued by fires, stampedes and occasional riots, but the risks are even greater this year with disease and terrorism high on the list of Saudi concerns.
The first of more than 2 million Muslims who are expected to make the pilgrimage started to gather in Mecca on Wednesday. The ritual starts late this month, a devotion required once in a lifetime of every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
Hajj activities, one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, take place during six days of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah.
In the ritual, pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the big stone structure that Muslims face during their five daily prayers; pray at Mount Arafat; throw pebbles at three pillars symbolizing the devil; and slaughter a camel, sheep or cow to mark the beginning of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice.
But the huge numbers of pilgrims in recent years have caused hazards. A stampede in 1990 killed more than 1,400 people, and high winds in 1997 swept fire through a sprawling tent city for pilgrims, killing more than 340 and injuring 1,500.
Challenges this year include infectious diseases such as Ebola and SARS, and officials will monitor any illness outbreaks among pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia has set up a tent city in Mina, with more than 40,000 white, fireproof tents to house pilgrims. Dozens of trucks will roam the streets, offering food and drink.
Mohammed Abdulaziz, head of a Hajj group for American pilgrims in the Saudi city of Jiddah, told The Associated Press many American pilgrims are defying risks to come this year.
"Muslim Americans have not shied away despite the recent attacks in the kingdom," he said. "Their numbers have risen slightly from last year."
Pilgrims seen on the Mountain of Mercy during the 2002 hajj.
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Two bombings in Saudi Arabia in the past year have killed more than 50 people, including eight Americans, at housing compounds for foreigners. Saudi and U.S. officials have blamed al Qaeda.
Saudi authorities said last week they had found al Qaeda terrorist training camps in the desert, AP reported. The country has arrested hundreds of suspects since suicide bombings in May.
In a statement Monday, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd urged pilgrims not to cause trouble, urging them to follow the kingdom's laws and "avoid actions that would desecrate the pilgrimage," AP added.
With the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, many Iraqis also are expected to make the pilgrimage this year, the largest contingent in 35 years.
During Saddam's reign, participation was greatly restricted. But recently, the Iraqi Governing Council and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement to allow 30,000 Iraqis to participate, an Iraqi government official said.
Last year, 14,000 Iraqis performed the Hajj while 8,000 went on the holy journey in 2002.
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Iraqis wave to relatives aboard a bus leaving Baghdad on journey to Mecca.
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Participants were chosen in a public lottery from among more than 500,000 who applied from across the country.
In Kuwait, officials told CNN 6,500 Iraqis went across the Iraqi border into Kuwait at Basra Tuesday night. They headed straight to the airport in Kuwait City and boarded planes.
When they return home, officials in Kuwait will set up a special tent city for them in which they will wait for buses heading back to Iraq. Red Crescent workers will be there to provide support.
Copyright 2004 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
