Correspondents report on the strengthening of security measures.
Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It is expected that this year the Hajj will be attended by about 1.5 million people.
Correspondents report on the strengthening of security measures. Within a radius of two kilometers from Masjid al-Haram, located in Mecca and is one of the main shrines for Muslims, is car. On the way pilgrims established checkpoints.
In the past year occurred during the Hajj stampede in Mina valley killed more than 2 thousand people. Among them were many citizens of Iran.
Tehran has accused the authorities of Saudi Arabia to the poor organization of the Hajj. This year the Iranian authorities have banned their citizens to go on Hajj to Mecca.
First in Mecca held a religious ceremony and then the pilgrims go to the valley of Mina, which is 5 km from Mecca. From there they will go to mount Arafat, where they will make the main rituals of the Hajj. Pilgrims walk in the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad.
Most will overcome the distance of 25 kilometers on foot.
The reason for last year’s stampede in Mina valley was that on the jamarat bridge has faced two large groups of pilgrims going in different directions.
To the new Hajj in Mina road was expanded. In addition, Saudi authorities to distribute to the pilgrims a special electronic bracelets, which will contain their personal information. They will help identify people in case they die or are injured.
