JEDDAH, 17 December 2004 — A record number of 9,000 pilgrims will arrive for Haj from the Russian Federation, according to Mohammad Gamzaev, head of the Haj mission.
Gamzaev has been on Haj duty to the Kingdom for five times and this time he is leading a 19-member delegation. The number of pilgrims this year is 4,000 more than last year.
“Most of the pilgrims are from the Caucasus, including Daghestan, Chechnya and Ingus,” Gamzaev told Arab News. There will be a total of 14 flights - nine direct from the Daghestan capital Mahajkala, one from Chechnya and two from Ingus via Mahajkala, and one special flight each from Kazan, capital of Tataristan and Ufa, Baskkinia capital, also via Mahajkala.
All will be Daghestan Airways charter flights and arrive in Madinah, with the first one landing on Jan. 8, 2005, and the last on Jan. 14. Return flights will begin on Jan. 25, with the last one on Feb. 1.
“The number of Hajis has been increasing because the economic situation of others and Muslims in the Federation has been steadily improving,” explained Viatcheslav L. Maksoudov, senior consul at the Consulate General of Russia in Jeddah.
Gamzaev said that accommodation for 6,000 pilgrims has already been rented, and the process of hiring for the remaining Hajis is continuing.
There are two categories costing $1,700 and $1,200, depending on distance from the Haram. The price includes everything except meals.
“There is a team of six medical doctors and an ambulance to look after the pilgrims,” he said.
He clarified that of the total 9,000; at least 6,000 will be coming by road via Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, entering the Kingdom through Tabuk, then on to Madinah and Jeddah/Makkah. “It will be nearly a thousand kilometers longer journey as they will be avoiding Iraq,” he added. For them accommodation charges are between $800 and $900.
Of the 3,000 coming by air, 2,300 will come on chartered flights and the rest 700 on regular flights from Moscow on different airlines and via different countries.
