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Olde Tyme Religion
More than two million Muslims begin annual hajj pilgrimage
2019-08-09
[France24] More than two million Muslims begin the annual hajj on Friday as the Saudi hosts seek to deter politicisation of the pilgrimage against a backdrop of simmering Gulf tensions.

The hajj, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, is one of Islam's five pillars and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.

It consists of a series of religious rites which are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.

"All of the arms of state have been deployed (and) we are proud to serve as 'God's hosts'," said security forces spokesman Bassam Attia.
Posted by:Besoeker

#9  Where are the mosquito bombs?
Posted by: Skidmark   2019-08-09 16:23  

#8  as many of the passengers feel it is completely appropriate to relieve themselves without leaving their seats

Huh? What makes them think this is ok? Are they from places that don't know that's disgusting?
Posted by: gorb   2019-08-09 15:47  

#7  Saudi's decided to cut it back to about 2M

So it wasn't such a money maker so much. Whuttasurprise...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2019-08-09 11:31  

#6  the number of people doing the Hajj was over 3M back a few years ago and the Saudi's decided to cut it back to about 2M

fwiw, there is a Shia hajj of sorts in Iraq which draws over 15M per year but it doesn't get the publicity
Posted by: lord garth   2019-08-09 11:15  

#5  Let the riots and tramplings commence!
Posted by: Raj   2019-08-09 09:31  

#4  My favorite story from the hajj is how airlines use planes they are about to scrap, mothball or (try to) sell as many of the passengers feel it is completely appropriate to relieve themselves without leaving their seats.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2019-08-09 09:12  

#3  Given past death tolls from stampedes and disease outbreaks, the term "lemmings" comes to mind.
Posted by: Omomoting Sforza2689   2019-08-09 08:43  

#2  My guess would be, not everyone can afford it anymore. Organized religion's an expensive opiate.

But they can do it on this now - Pakistain's Hajj Simulator

Think Counterstrikeâ„¢ with just the terrorists.
Posted by: Dron66046   2019-08-09 08:09  

#1  ...Without at all being snarky, I would have thought that the number would have been considerably higher.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2019-08-09 07:34  

00:00