MAKKAH, Dec 6: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims began heading to a tent camp outside the holy city of Makkah.

Over two million Muslim pilgrims arrived this week in Makkah, where authorities have mounted a vast security operation to avert any militant attacks, deadly stampedes or political activities that could embarrass Saudi Arabia.

“It’s a beautiful feeling, very beautiful, especially when you see the Kaaba,” said a Moroccan woman called Sanna after visiting the Grand Mosque. “I hope I can return again, with God’s help,” she said.

Some pilgrims walked, carrying their bags, while others took buses moving slowly through the crowds to the Mina area east of Makkah. Men were dressed in simple white robes, marking a state of Ihram, or ritual purity.

The pilgrims will all have arrived by Sunday morning at Mount Arafat, about 15km east of Makkah.

Authorities have made renovations over the past year to ease the flow of pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque and the disaster-prone Jamarat Bridge. In January 2006, 362 people were crushed to death there, the worst Haj tragedy since 1990.

“I came here because I have always wished to come,” said Umm Hassan from Egypt. “I hope God gives me the health and fortune to come a second and third and even more times.”

The flow of traffic was notably smoother than last year, as more pilgrims were transported on buses and authorities imposed stringent checks on entry points to the Makkah area to keep out people without Haj permits.The government says it will stop Saudis and residents in the country taking part without official permits, a main cause of overcrowding. Over 1.75 million Haj visas have been granted to Muslims abroad, and at least 500,000 locals receive permits.

“The objective of this work is to account for all pilgrims, whether they are Saudis or non-Saudis,” said organiser Ahmed al-Sulaimi, as security forces stopped cars at a checkpoint.

The government warned pilgrims not to politicise the Haj.

“Saudi Arabia is above any party or political intentions behind the Haj. Pilgrims should not raise any slogans other than that of Islam,” Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Sheikh said in comments published in Saudi newspapers.

There have been clashes between police and Iranian pilgrims in the past over political slogans.

Disputes between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah delayed and prevented some Palestinian pilgrims from arriving, adding another potential flashpoint.—Reuters