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    November 05, 2011

Over 2 Million in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

   VOA News
   Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the
   annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
   November 5, 2011. Photo: Reuters
   Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the
   annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
   November 5, 2011.

   Saudi officials say more than 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims are taking
   part in the annual Hajj rites, which peak on Saturday.
   Hajj is the oldest and most sacred ritual of Islam. The pilgrimage
   focuses on the holy city of Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet
   Muhammad.
   Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz said a record 1.8 million
   foreign pilgrims had arrived the kingdom as of Friday. He said they
   represented 183 nationalities. The foreigners will join hundreds of
   thousands of Saudi Muslims who are taking part in the ritual.
   Most pilgrims visit the holy mosques in Mecca and nearby Medina, where
   they prophet Mohammed was buried over 1,400 years ago. They also gather
   on Mount Arafat, where the prophet is said to have delivered his last
   sermon.
   The Hajj will end on Sunday with Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of
   Sacrifice.
   The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam - one which every Muslim
   most fulfill, if possible, during his or her lifetime.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, and AFP.
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