JEDDAH, 10 February — The Kingdom will not allow the annual pilgrimage to be exploited as a platform to criticize the United States, Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed said in remarks published yesterday.

"This will not happen. We will just not allow it," the prince told Okaz newspaper in response to a question about the possibility of exploiting the Haj to criticize the United States.

"The ministries of foreign affairs, interior and pilgrimage have informed all sides that we will not allow the Haj to be misused because it is a season for worship," said Prince Abdul Majeed, who also heads the Central Haj Committee.

The US-led war in Afghanistan and warnings that other countries may soon face America’s wrath have aroused strong concern in the Muslim world that Islam is a target.

In July 1987, Saudi security forces clashed with Iranian pilgrims holding a protest rally against Israel and the United States. At least 402 people, including 275 Iranians, were killed in the clashes.

Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday chaired a meeting of the Supreme Haj Committee and reviewed security and organization for the huge gathering.

Addressing the meeting, which was attended by two governors and seven ministers, Prince Naif urged government officials to exert maximum efforts in the service of the guests of God.

"We should provide the pilgrims with all facilities to perform their Haj duties easily and comfortably, so that they will return to their countries with a good impression about the Kingdom and its people," Prince Naif said.

The interior minister highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure the welfare and security of pilgrims.

The government has mobilized 60,000 employees and volunteers who will be deployed in Makkah and other holy sites.

They include more than 9,000 medical staff and doctors, some of whom are from abroad.

More than 750,000 faithful have already arrived in the Kingdom for the pilgrimage that begins on Feb. 21. Many more are expected to enter the Kingdom before a Feb. 17 arrival deadline. According to Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Sajeeni, 738,555 pilgrims arrived from abroad by Friday evening. Among them 684,591 came by plane, 44,954 by land and 9,010 by ship.

The Cabinet on Monday reviewed preparations for the pilgrimage amid expectations that record numbers will turn up for Haj this year.

Saudi Arabian Airlines has started a major airlift of pilgrims. Director General Dr. Khaled Bakr said the national carrier will transport 780,000 pilgrims from 57 destinations on 3,016 flights, a 15 percent increase over last year.

Fahd Al-Turki, Saudia’s manager in Tehran, said the airline had brought in 29,070 Iranian pilgrims on 80 flights this year.