MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have flocked to the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage unfolding this year in the shadow of the Gaza war.
One of the world's largest annual religious gatherings officially begins on Friday, and Saudi officials are trying to keep the focus on prayers.The Gulf kingdom's minister in charge of religious pilgrimages, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, warned last week that 'no political activity' will be tolerated.The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means, and as of Thursday around 1.
However Saudi officials have said ties with Israel are impossible without 'irrevocable' steps towards recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel has long opposed.Saudi King Salman issued a decree on Monday to host 1,000 pilgrims 'from the families of martyrs and the wounded from the Gaza Strip', bringing to 2,000 the number of Palestinian pilgrims to be hosted this year, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
War Hangs Over Hajj As Pilgrims Flock To Mecca
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