SAUDI ARABIA: Military parade held in Arafat, near Mecca as millions of Muslims prepare to descend on Mecca begin annual haj pilgrimage

Record ID: 188490

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Military parade held in Arafat, near Mecca as millions of Muslims prepare to descend on Mecca begin annual haj pilgrimage
  • Date: 16th December 2007
  • Summary: PRINCE NAYEF BEING SEATED SAUDI FLAG/HELICOPTERS FLYING OVERHEAD MILITARY PARADE/ SECURITY FORCES CHANTING AND RUNNING VARIOUS SECURITY FORCES PARADING FEET OF SOLDIERS AT PARADE MORE OF SECURITY FORCES SECURITY PERSONNEL LANDING PARACHUTING VARIOUS OF MASKED SECURITY FORCE AT PARADE (2 SHOTS) SPECIAL FORCES VARIOUS MORE OF PARADE
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Defence / Military,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAALOUJFAQ3JELL7MKN40PPQPHH
  • Story Text: Saudi Arabia said it was ready to deal with the 1.4 million who have descended onto the holy city of Mecca for the annual haj pilgrim.
    Final security preparations were being made in Saudi Arabia as 1.4 million of Muslims from across the world arrived in the holy city of Mecca to attend the annual hal pilgrim.
    Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Azziz made final inspections at the outskirts of Mecca, where security personnel, including special forces, the national guard force and civil defence teams took part in a military parade.
    As pilgrims from across the world arrive in Mecca days before the official haj start, Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Azziz, the country's interior minister said security forces were ready "to ensure the safety of ever pilgrim."
    "We rely on God strongly, and on the pilgrims and everyone here even those who are not pilgrims, to respect the holiness of this place and no one should harm (spoil) the house of God (the Grand Mosque). God has honoured us to protect this place and we, God willing, are able to achieve security and prevent any harm from taking place in order to (ensure) the safety of the every pilgrim and the safety of the nation," said Prince Nayef following a military parade in Arafat, on the outskirts of Mecca.
    Pilgrims prepared for the five-day rites which start on Monday (December 17) and are a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim who can afford it.
    The haj is often described as the world's biggest religious gathering, and men and women from more than 100 countries take part. Some of the largest contingents come from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
    Saudi state television said on Thursday (December 13) the police were taking strict measures to keep out aspiring pilgrims who do not have permission to attend.
    One of the biggest concerns for the Saudi authorities is managing the large crowds and preventing stampedes and crushes.
    According to the local news agency SPA, new bridges were set up this year to try an prevent accidents.
    Last year's haj was spared any major incident but in the January 2006 pilgrimage 362 people were crushed to death during a stone-throwing ritual at the Jamarat Bridge. It was the worst haj tragedy in 16 years. Even at the prayers on Friday, crowding was a problem in some areas, with pilgrims able to move only at a snail's pace. Elderly pilgrims in wheelchairs or accompanied by relatives to help them walk added to the congestion.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register