3,000 Chinese pilgrims expected
BEIJING, 16 January 2003 — The first batch of 200 Chinese pilgrims left here for the Kingdom to perform Haj. The pilgrims were seen off by the Kingdom’s Ambassador to China Dr. Mohammed ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Bishr and President of Chinese Islamic Association Helal Aldeen Chin Kwang-yuwan. As many as 3,000 Chinese are expected to perform Haj this year. (SPA)
Khamenei calls for Muslim unity
TEHRAN, 16 January 2003 — Iran’s paramount leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described the annual pilgrimage to Makkah as the symbol of Islamic unity. Speaking to the members of the Iranian Haj mission, he said the only way for stopping aggression against the Palestinians and Iraq was to strengthen Muslim unity. He hoped that the annual pilgrimage would help Muslims to close their ranks. (SPA)
Visa service in Egypt stepped up
EGYPT, 16 January 2003 — Saudi missions in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria have stepped up their efforts to issue Haj visas to a total of 66,000 Egyptian pilgrims, an official source at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo said. The source refuted allegations that the embassy was charging money for Haj visas. “We issue Haj visas free of charge,” the source said, dismissing the accusations by some Egyptian Haj and Umrah agents. (SPA)
Health panel reviews preparations
MAKKAH, 16 January 2003 — The executive Haj health committee met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Dr. Adnan Al-Bar, director of health in Makkah region, and reviewed the preparations for the Haj season. The meeting also discussed readying of health centers and hospitals in Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa to provide health care to pilgrims. (SPA)
Varsities to send scout teams
MAKKAH, 16 January 2003 — Six Saudi universities — King Saud, Imam Muhammad, King Khaled, King Abdul Aziz, King Fahd and King Faisal — will send 17 teams of scouts to provide various services to pilgrims, it was announced here yesterday. The colleges of teachers and the industrial colleges in Jubail and Yanbu will also send six Scout teams on Haj duty. (SPA)
