Srinagar, May 23 : More than 1.6 million pilgrims from across the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi authorities said.
According to the General Directorate of Passports, over 1,626,000 pilgrims entered the Kingdom through air, land and sea routes ahead of Hajj. Most of the pilgrims arrived by air, while arrivals from different countries are still continuing.
Saudi authorities expect the number of pilgrims to increase further in the coming days as preparations for the pilgrimage enter the final phase.
Hajj, performed in the holy city of Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
The Saudi government has put in place extensive arrangements for transport, accommodation, healthcare and crowd management to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Authorities have also strengthened safety measures amid rising temperatures and the expected rush of pilgrims during the annual gathering.(KNS)
