Security tight at hajj in Mecca

Women pray during their pilgrimage to Mecca

April 3, 1998
Web posted at: 11:08 a.m. EST (1608 GMT)

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- The safety of Muslims who have made the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is a prime concern for Saudi officials. On Friday, an Islamic cleric told followers that strict adherence to Islamic laws could ensure their security.

"The call for security has echoed all over the world. ... But instead, what we see is violence, terrorism and crime," Saleh bin Hameed said in a Friday sermon broadcast live on Saudi television.

"Security cannot be achieved without implementing God's laws in all spheres of life," bin Hameed said.

Correspondent Riz Khan is one of the first western journalists to report from behind the scenes of the hajj. Check out his report! VXtreme streaming video (2:45)

As many as 1.5 million worshippers from about 100 nations packed the spacious Grand Mosque on Friday, and fanned out for more than a mile to fill surrounding streets.

Shoulder to shoulder, men, women and children knelt at noon and performed their prayers on bridges, streets and in parks. Saudi police blocked traffic to shield hajj participants from potential accidents.

Cameras, helicopters watch over pilgrims

Because tragedy has cast a shadow over the hajj in recent years, organizers have beefed up safety measures to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage.

Maintaining crowd safety is a prime concern

At least 15,000 security officers are patrolling Mecca and surrounding sites, and cameras are installed on main roads and in bridges and tunnels to monitor the pilgrims' movements. Twelve helicopters are being used for surveillance.

While the measures may seem invasive, Saudi officials feel they are necessary because of historic political tensions among hajj participants.

In 1987, 402 people, mostly Iranians, died in clashes during the hajj. The tragedy led Iran to boycott the hajj for three years.

Thousands of fire-resistant tents set up

Accidents have happened, too.

A fire swept through a tent camp last year, killing 343 people. Saudi officials said it was caused by a pilgrim who tried to cook a meal on a gas stove in his tent.

This year, the Saudi public works ministry erected 10,830 fire-resistant tents to house about a half-million pilgrims. The ministry's goal is to eventually provide fire-resistant tents for all pilgrims.

"Fire is without doubt the main thing which concerns and frightens us. ... Therefore civil defense patrols have been stepped up and we pray that God the almighty will spare us from a fire," said Interior Minister Prince Nayef.

Saudi television has been broadcasting safety instructions, telling pilgrims how to prevent fires and other hazards.

Medical personnel on stand-by

In addition, some 40,000 doctors, nurses, traffic officers, cleaners, bakers and rubbish collectors are on hand.

About 2 million Muslims are participating in the hajj

The pilgrims are to move into the tents on Saturday to prepare for their march to Mount Arafat.

An estimated 1 million Muslims made the pilgrimage to Mecca this year, joining an estimated million more who already live in the kingdom.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and has been performed annually, uninterrupted, for centuries.

The event reaches its climax on Monday when the pilgrims, chanting, "I have answered your call, God. There is no God but you," make their way to Mount Arafat where Prophet Mohammad -- the founder of Islam -- gave his last sermon 14 centuries ago.

Correspondent Riz Khan and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Islam's holy hajj begins - April 2, 1998
• Report: Death toll in hajj fire actually is 2,000 - April 16, 1997
• Saudi diplomat: Hajj fire was an accident - April 16, 1997
• Fire kills more than 200 pilgrims near Mecca - April 15, 1997
• Islam colors followers' entire lives - December 18, 1995

Related sites:

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• Hajj information and links
• Hajj and Umrah - Information for independent pilgrims
• The Islam Page
• ArabNet - Saudi Arabia

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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