25 January 2004	Sunday	02 Zilhaj 1424

RIYADH, Jan 24: More than 1.1 million pilgrims from around the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia for Haj. The arrivals, monitored by the Haj ministry , swelled the faithful at Friday prayers to around two million in Madinah, amid tight security, Al-Jazira daily reported.

Masjid-i-Nabawi Imam Sheikh Abderrahman bin Abul Aziz Al Sudais, urged believers to "close ranks" at a time when the Muslim world was divided.

He told worshippers to "stay away from acts that violate the sanctity of the Haj" and to observe a moderate line.

"Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance and respect for human rights while the whole world is prey to violence, horror and terrorism," he said.

He quoted "the Zionist aggression on the territory of Palestine near the Al Aqsa mosque."

"These aggressions as well as the racist separation wall show the arrogance, the racism and terrorism of the Zionists," he said.

The interior ministry has released a multi-lingual booklet listing names and photographs of men wanted on suspicion of involvement in terror attacks in the kingdom. The pictures of 12 men are on the cover with the emergency 990 telephone number to call in case of information that might lead to their arrest.

Authorities have also stepped up security in Makkah.

Extra forces were deployed after security forces smashed a suspected Al Qaeda cell last week and announced it had been preparing an attack in Makkah, sources said.

Rare heavy rains in the Makkah region made life difficult at the weekend for the pilgrims.-AFP