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SAUDI-ISLAM-HAJJ-RELIGION,FACTS
The hajj in numbers
MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The hajj pilgrimage, which
starts at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, is one of the
world’s largest annual gatherings.
Here are some figures illustrating its scale:
– More than two million pilgrims are taking part this year, according to
official figures, compared to 1.86 million in 2016 and just 24,000 in 1941.
– Some 18,000 civil defence employees, among tens of thousands of security
personnel, are helping safeguard pilgrims, officials say. Additionally,
thousands of security cameras have been set up along the pilgrimage route.
– Twenty-five hospitals backed by 180 ambulances and more than 30,000
health practitioners have been mobilised to provide emergency services to
pilgrims, according to the hajj ministry.
– Tens of thousands of air-conditioned tents have been set up to house
pilgrims.
– Around 14,000 international and domestic flights have so far transported
pilgrims, according to official figures. Around 21,000 buses have also been
used.
– Around 16,000 telecommunication towers and 3,000 WiFi access points have
been set up to serve pilgrims, the hajj ministry says.
– Eight million copies of the holy Koran and their translations as well as
other religious books will be handed out to pilgrims, official figures show.
– Saudi Arabia hopes to welcome 30 million pilgrims annually in the kingdom
by 2030. Muslims also flock to the country for the umra pilgrimage, which can
be performed at any time of the year.
– Around 54 million pilgrims have attended the hajj over the past 25 years,
according to official figures.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1426 HRS