- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: ANNUAL HAJ PILGRIMAGE
- Date: 19th February 2002
- Summary: (U3) MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 19, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. TV HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PILGRIMS AT GRAND MOSQUE 0.11 2. SV MINARETS OF GRAND MOSQUE/ CALL FOR PRAYERS 0.17 3. TV PILGRIMS AROUND HOLY KAABA 0.22 4. TV PILGRIMS PRAYING (4 SHOTS) 0.50 5. TV PILGRIMS CIRCLING HOLY KAABA AS PART OF HAJ (2 SHOTS) 0.59 6. TV OF GRAND MOSQUE WITH KAABA IN THE MIDDLE AFTER PRAYERS 1.03 (U3) MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 20, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 7. SV PILGRIMS LEAVING GRAND MOSQUE TO MENA 1.09 8. SV MINARETS OF GRAND MOSQUE 1.13 9. MCU (Arabic) EGYPTIAN PILGRIM ADEL HUSSIEN SAYING: "We will pray at dawn in Mena and then we will move to (Mount) Arafat and spend the whole day in Arafat, then return at night to Muzdalifa to sleep, Arafat is one of the most important rituals of the Haj, Haj is Arafat." 1.27 10. SV PILGRIMS LEAVING GRAND MOSQUE 1.34 11. SLV PILGRIMS HEADING TO MENA 1.46 12. MCU (English) IRANIAN PILGRIM MUHAMMAD SATEEN SAYING: "After Haj we have definitely have to change our whole life, and whatever we have got and whatever we have learned from here we have to implement in our whole life." 1.58 13. SLV/SV PILGRIMS GETTING TO BUSES (2 SHOTS) 2.07 14. MCU (English) TURKISH PILGRIM ASEF RIZRY SAYING: "I am very proud that God has given me the opportunity to perform Haj, may God accept our Haj." 2.14 15. LAS PILGRIMS WALKING TO MENA 2.26 16. SLV/SV PILGRIMS ON BUSES (2 SHOTS) 2.34 17. LAS PILGRIMS WALKING 2.39 18. SLV DOZENS OF PILGRIMS HEADING TO MENA ON BUSES AND WALKING 2.49 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 6th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Reuters ID: LVAEWJI4RGQ4QFA0AR3A0IT2CS1P
- Story Text: Around two million Muslim pilgrims set off on a quest
for spiritual renewal, marching from Mecca to the plains of
Mena in Saudi Arabia at the start of the annual Haj
pilgrimage.
The five-day pilgrimage following in the footsteps of
the Prophet Mohammad opened without incident amid tight
security.
Saudi authorities had warned the pilgrims against staging
political rallies at the Haj, the first major Muslim gathering
since the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Thousands of men in white seamless robes and veiled women
in long dresses wept with emotion and chanted the traditional
Haj
call: "Here I am, oh God, here I am," as they travelled the 12
km (eight mile) stretch between the holy city of Mecca and
Mena.
"I am very proud that God has given me the opportunity to
perform Haj," Asef Razry, from Turkey said. "May God accept
our Haj."
Highways were jammed as more than 12,000 buses and cars
ferried the faithful and their belongings. Some pilgrims,
carrying white umbrellas to shield from the sun, went on foot.
Police helicopters hovered above the crowd while police
and troops organised traffic and monitored the scene. Medical
teams stood by for any emergencies.
Around two million pilgrims from around the world are
performing Haj this year. They will recreate symbolic actions
taught by Mohammad and performed by the millions of Muslims
who have sought repentance, purification and spiritual renewal
at these holy sites for the past 14 centuries.
Saudi state radio declared the start of the pilgrimage
trouble-free. Disasters and political conflict have marred the
Haj over the past two decades.
The pilgrims will spend the night on the plains of Mena in
44,000 fire-resistant, air-conditioned white tents before
setting out to Mount Arafat on Thursday (February 21) for the
climax of the Haj.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can afford the trip
must perform the Haj at least once in a lifetime.
"We will pray at dawn in Mena and then we will move to
(Mount) Arafat and spend the whole day at Arafat. Then we will
return at night to Muzdalifa to sleep. Arafat is one of the
most important rituals of the Haj. Haj is Arafat," Egyptian
pilgrim Adel Hussein said.
Iranian pilgrim Muhammad Sateen said pilgrims will start
their lives with a new slate when they return home. "After Haj
we definitely have to change our whole life, and whatever we
have got and whatever we have learned from here we have to
implement in our whole life."
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