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Muslim pilgrims gather for Hajj Muslim pilgrims gather for Hajj
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of Muslims are gathering in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage which begins on Thursday amid enhanced security. Millions of Muslims are gathering in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage which is due to begin amid enhanced security.
The authorities have implemented new safety and security measures which they say will prevent stampedes that have killed hundreds of people previously. The authorities say they have implemented new safety and security measures to prevent stampedes that have killed hundreds of people previously.
In January 2006, almost 400 people were killed and some 300 injured in a stampede during one of the rituals.In January 2006, almost 400 people were killed and some 300 injured in a stampede during one of the rituals.
Between two and three million pilgrims are expected to take part this year.Between two and three million pilgrims are expected to take part this year.
HAJJ DISASTERS 2006: 345 die in a crush during a stone-throwing ritual2004: 251 trampled to death in stampede2003: 14 are crushed to death 2001: 35 die in stampede1998: At least 118 trampled to death1997: 343 pilgrims die and 1,500 injured in fire1994: 270 killed in stampede1990: 1,426 pilgrims killed in tunnel leading to holy sites1987: 400 die as Saudi authorities confront pro-Iranian demonstration Deadly history of the Hajj
The Hajj is one of the five basic duties of Islam to be carried out at least once in lifetime and an obligation for all Muslims who are able to undertake the pilgrimage.
But strict quotas are imposed in most countries to keep numbers to a relatively manageable level.
The Hajj gets under way when all the pilgrims leave Mecca in a massive convoy to make their way to nearby Mina. It is due to end on Monday.The Hajj gets under way when all the pilgrims leave Mecca in a massive convoy to make their way to nearby Mina. It is due to end on Monday.
Since the stampede in the last Hajj earlier this year, a major rebuilding project has been undertaken and 50,000 security personnel have been mobilised. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an obligation for all Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.
In January, at least 345 pilgrims died in a crush during the stone-throwing ritual of the pilgrimage. HAJJ DISASTERS 2006: 345 die in a crush during a stone-throwing ritual2004: 251 trampled to death in stampede2003: 14 are crushed to death 2001: 35 die in stampede1998: At least 118 trampled to death1997: 343 pilgrims die and 1,500 injured in fire1994: 270 killed in stampede1990: 1,426 pilgrims killed in tunnel leading to holy sites1987: 400 die as Saudi authorities confront pro-Iranian demonstration href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/4607304.stm" class="">Deadly history of the Hajj
The stampede took place at the foot of the bridge of Jamaraat, where pilgrims hurl stones at three pillars representing the spot where the devil is said to have appeared to Abraham, and which creates a dangerous bottleneck, The Saudi authorities impose a strict quota system to try to keep the number of foreign visitors to a manageable level.
When the pilgrims return to Mecca, they must perform a precise series of steps - including walking seven times round the Kaaba (a cube-like building in the centre of the mosque) in an anti-clockwise direction.
At the last Hajj, earlier this year, at least 345 pilgrims died in a crush during the stone-throwing ritual of the pilgrimage.
The stampede took place at the foot of the bridge of Jamarat, in Mina, where pilgrims hurl stones at three pillars representing the spot where the devil is said to have appeared to Abraham, and which creates a dangerous bottleneck.
Since then a major rebuilding project has been undertaken and 50,000 security personnel have been mobilised.
The ritual has seen many lethal stampedes, but the number of dead in January was the highest in 16 years.The ritual has seen many lethal stampedes, but the number of dead in January was the highest in 16 years.
After a crush in 2004, barriers and stewards were added to improve safety.