MAKKAH, Dec 16: Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world gathered in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, making final preparations for Haj.
Saudi officials say that more than 1.6 million Muslims from abroad have assembled for Haj, which begins on Monday. Hundreds of thousands of Saudis as well as foreigners living in the kingdom are also expected to take part.
Among the pilgrims will be Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whom Saudi King Abdullah has invited. He will become the first president of the Islamic republic to take part in the event.
Nearly 2.4 million people flocked to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj last year, including more than 1.6 million from outside the kingdom.
A total of 11,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics would be on hand to provide medical care with 4,200 beds in 21 hospitals and 145 health centres at Makkah, Mina and Arafat, local media reported.
According to the SPA news agency, 85 ambulances have been mobilised and health alerts will be issued in case of any outbreak of disease.
Local media has reported that Saudi Arabia plans to build a
$5 billion monorail network that would provide safer and faster transport for pilgrims travelling between the holy sites.—AFP
