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| Rainstorms hamper Hajj pilgrimage | Rainstorms hamper Hajj pilgrimage |
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| Heavy rainstorms have hampered the start of the annual Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj, in the Saudi city of Mecca. | Heavy rainstorms have hampered the start of the annual Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj, in the Saudi city of Mecca. |
| The authorities have warned pilgrims to take care in the rain at the event, which usually attracts about two million Muslims from around the world. | The authorities have warned pilgrims to take care in the rain at the event, which usually attracts about two million Muslims from around the world. |
| Fatal stampedes have marred the pilgrimage in the past, and many of the visitors stay in tents. | Fatal stampedes have marred the pilgrimage in the past, and many of the visitors stay in tents. |
| A senior Saudi official has also told the BBC that fears over swine flu may keep some 40% of local pilgrims away. | A senior Saudi official has also told the BBC that fears over swine flu may keep some 40% of local pilgrims away. |
| Four people attending the Hajj have so far died from the H1N1 virus, but officials have sought to play down the risk. | Four people attending the Hajj have so far 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's admission that numbers might be down this year is the first official recognition that fear of swine flu may affect the event. | The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani at the Hajj says General Mansoor al-Turki's admission that numbers might be down this year is the first official recognition that fear of swine flu may affect the event. |
| The six-day Hajj began with pilgrims circling the Kaaba What is the Hajj? class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8379050.stm">In pictures: Hajj pilgrimage | |
| Health ministry spokesman Khaled Marghlani told AFP on Wednesday that only 67 pilgrims had been confirmed and suspected swine flu infections so far. | 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. | "Everything is going smoothly, thanks to God," he said. |
| Crowds of pilgrims have been converging on Mecca in recent days, and started the Hajj rites on Wednesday. | Crowds of pilgrims have been converging on Mecca in recent days, and started the Hajj rites on Wednesday. |
| They began 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 began 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 also ran seven times along a passageway in the Great Mosque, commemorating a search for water by Hajar, wife of the Prophet Abraham. | They also ran seven times along a passageway in the Great Mosque, commemorating a search for water by Hajar, wife of the Prophet Abraham. |
| Pilgrims are now travelling to the valley of Arafat, where they will stand in the open praising Allah and meditating on Thursday. | Pilgrims are now travelling to the valley of Arafat, where they will stand in the open praising Allah and meditating on Thursday. |
| 'More cases detected' | 'More cases detected' |
| The Saudi health 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 Saudi health 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. |
| Security staff are taking swine flu precautions as pilgrims gather | Security staff are taking swine flu precautions as pilgrims gather |
| A statement said the four had not followed "recommended procedures, especially vaccination against swine flu". | A statement said the four had not followed "recommended procedures, especially vaccination against swine flu". |
| 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. |
| Are you attending the Hajj? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you attending the Hajj? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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