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Hajj begins amid swine flu fears Rainstorms hamper Hajj pilgrimage
(about 6 hours later)
The annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage has begun in Saudi Arabia, with officials saying they expect lower numbers mainly because of fears about swine flu. Heavy rainstorms have hampered the start of the annual Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj, in the Saudi city of Mecca.
A senior Saudi health ministry official told the BBC that international visitor numbers might not be affected, but a 40% drop in local pilgrims was likely. Saudi authorities warned pilgrims to take care in the rain at the event, which usually attracts about two million Muslims from around the world.
The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani says it is the first official recognition that fear of swine flu may affect the Hajj. Fatal stampedes have marred the pilgrimage in the past, and many of the visitors stay in tents.
About two million Muslims converge on Mecca each year for the pilgrimage. Also, a senior Saudi official told the BBC that fears over swine flu may keep some 40% of domestic pilgrims away.
Four people attending the Hajj died from the H1N1 virus, but officials have sought to play down the risk.
The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani at the Hajj says General Mansoor Al-Turki admission that numbers might be down this year is the first official recognition that fear of swine flu may affect the event.
Health ministry spokesman Khaled Marghlani told AFP on Wednesday that only 67 pilgrims had been confirmed and suspected swine flu infections so far.
"Everything is going smoothly, thanks to God," he said.
Crowds of pilgrims have been converging on the holy city of Mecca in recent days, and started the Hajj rites on Wednesday.Crowds of pilgrims have been converging on the holy city of Mecca in recent days, and started the Hajj rites on Wednesday.
They begin with Tawaf, walking seven times round the Kaaba - the cube-like building in the centre of the Great Mosque, Islam's holiest shrine - in an anti-clockwise direction.They begin with Tawaf, walking seven times round the Kaaba - the cube-like building in the centre of the Great Mosque, Islam's holiest shrine - in an anti-clockwise direction.
There is no risk of the illness spreading as we are well-prepared and have taken the necessary measures Dr Khaled MarghlaniSaudi Ministry of Health What is the Hajj?There is no risk of the illness spreading as we are well-prepared and have taken the necessary measures Dr Khaled MarghlaniSaudi Ministry of Health What is the Hajj?
Pilgrims also run seven times along a passageway in the Great Mosque, commemorating a search for water by Hajar, wife of the Prophet Abraham. They run seven times along a passageway in the Great Mosque, commemorating a search for water by Hajar, wife of the Prophet Abraham.
Pilgrims then travel to the valley of Arafat and stand in the open praising Allah and meditating on Thursday.Pilgrims then travel to the valley of Arafat and stand in the open praising Allah and meditating on Thursday.
Saudi health authorities announced at the weekend that four people attending the Hajj had died from the H1N1 virus, but played down the risk to other pilgrims.
"There is no risk of the illness spreading as we are well-prepared and have taken the necessary measures," health ministry spokesman Dr Khaled Marghlani told a news conference on Tuesday.
'More cases detected''More cases detected'
The ministry said the four who died were a Sudanese man, a Moroccan woman and an Indian man - all aged over 75 - and a girl aged 17 from Nigeria. The ministry said the four people who had died from swine flu were a Sudanese man, a Moroccan woman and an Indian man - all aged over 75 - and a girl aged 17 from Nigeria.
The six-day Hajj begins with pilgrims circling the KaabaThe six-day Hajj begins with pilgrims circling the Kaaba
The statement said the four had not followed "recommended procedures, especially vaccination against swine flu".The statement said the four had not followed "recommended procedures, especially vaccination against swine flu".
The ministry said 16 other cases had been detected and four were in a critical condition.
The hajj has been the scene of several tragic accidents caused by huge crowds.The hajj has been the scene of several tragic accidents caused by huge crowds.
In 2006, 364 people were killed in a stampede at the entrance to the Jamarat Bridge in Mina.In 2006, 364 people were killed in a stampede at the entrance to the Jamarat Bridge in Mina.
In a bid to avoid a repeat of the disasters, authorities have just completed the rebuilding of the bridge.In a bid to avoid a repeat of the disasters, authorities have just completed the rebuilding of the bridge.
Officials say the 950m (3,135ft) long, 80m (260ft) wide five-storey pedestrian walkway, which cost $1.2bn (£723m), will prevent overcrowding.Officials say the 950m (3,135ft) long, 80m (260ft) wide five-storey pedestrian walkway, which cost $1.2bn (£723m), will prevent overcrowding.