Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Haj ‘trouble-free’ as pilgrimage nears end

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RIYADH: Saudi authorities said the ongoing Haj pilgrimage, Islam’s largest annual gathering, has been free of security and health problems as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were on Saturday performing the symbolic devil-stoning ritual. “This year’s Haj is going perfectly well,” said spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry, Mansour al Turki.


An estimated 2.3 million Muslims from around the world are attending the Haj that ends on Sunday.


“No security or health problem has been recorded,” Al Turki added, according to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya.


In recent years, the Haj has been marred by rioting and deadly stampedes.


“We have not seen pilgrims coming to express political stands,” Al Turki said.


Meanwhile, Saudi King Salman, receiving dignitaries attending the annual Haj pilgrimage, said on Saturday the kingdom had made progress in eradicating terrorism aimed at attacking its holy sites, state news agency SPA reported.


“The limbs of terrorism have sought to harm the holy cities, paying no attention to their sanctity,” SPA quoted King Salman as telling foreign dignitaries at a reception he held in Mecca. — Agencies


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