7 October 2013 - 20:30
Two Million Pilgrims Reach Makkah

A sea of white-robed two million pilgrims from all around the globe has arrived at the holy city of Makkah, chanting "Labbaik Allahhuma Labbaik" (O God, here I am answering your call), to perform the life-time spiritual pilgrimage.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - "You've got to be patient. Insha Allah, everything will be fine, don't worry," a staff of the Ministry of Culture and Information, known only as Hamdan, told thousands of pilgrims at the hajj terminal in Jeddah airport, Bernama reported on Monday, October 7.

The Haj Terminal, estimated to be at least five million square feet (465,000 square meters) is known for its tent-shaped fiberglass roof.

In a bid to make waiting easier for pilgrims, the terminal has a mosque, and it can accommodate 80,000 travelers at one time.

The customs and immigration halls are air-conditioned with lots of facilities for "Wudhu", drinking water and toilets.

Last June, Saudi Arabia announced its plan to restrict the number of pilgrims for this year’s hajj over ongoing expansions at the holy sites in Makkah.

Saudi authorities said they will reduce the numbers of pilgrims coming from within the kingdom by half.

The numbers of overseas pilgrims will be reduced by 20 percent.

In the meantime, a temporary "mataf" bridge has been installed to increase the capacity for those wishing to perform the "tawaf" (circumambulation of the holy Ka'aba).

The mataf area will increase the tawaf capacity to 35,000 worshippers an hour.

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