JEDDAH, 13 January 2005 — A majority of this year’s expected 100,000 Turkish Haj pilgrims have already arrived, according to Ergun Yucel, a Turkish consular official. He said the first Haj flights arrived from Ankara, Istanbul and Samsun on Dec.15, and the last flight will arrive from Adana in Jeddah on Jan. 16.
The Haj flights originate from 17 cities and 19 airports. The return flights will begin on Jan. 24 with the last flight from Jeddah on Feb. 15 and from Madinah on Feb. 23.
Ergun said 80 buildings had been hired in Makkah and 63 in Madinah. There are three levels depending on the number of persons per room and facilities. The prices range from $1,790 to $6,500 depending on food and other facilities. The Turkish government has sent mobile hospitals and has also rented buildings for clinics. “Haj organization continues without problems,” Ergun said.
