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Gaza pilgrims ready for Hajj

By Wassam Abuzeid

GAZA, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- Palestinian pilgrims in Gaza are packing their bags and getting ready for the once-in-lifetime spiritual pilgrimage journey to the holy shrines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"All arrangements for the holy journey have been completed," Head of Hajj and Umrah Authority in Gaza Strip Mohammad Abdulbari told KUNA. He noted that Gaza pilgrims, 2,450 in number, will leave through Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
They will be divided into three batches for the three days, each of nearly 850 pilgrims, and will be taken by buses from Rafah crossing point to Cairo International Airport where they will start their air trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"Gaza pilgrims used to travel from the nearby Al-Areesh Airport in Northern Sinai, but this year Egyptian authorities announced that they could travel through Cairo International Airport as Al-Areesh Airport is not ready for receiving them due to the security situation in Sinai," Abdulbari said, adding that the trip from Rafah to Cairo could take up to 12 hours.
For his part, head Hajj and Umrah travel agencies society Awad Abumathkour confirmed that they have arranged for the transport of pilgrims with Egyptian companies, Saudi hotels, and travel agencies for their accommodation and transport in the Kingdom.
He told KUNA that Saudi Arabia has offered 1,000 free Hajj visas for families of the Palestinian martyrs and prisoners in Israeli jails, 500 for Palestinians in West Bank and 500 others for those in Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Palestinian hospitals and medical centers have completed all required vaccination for pilgrims.
For its part, the Egyptian authorities have announced that Rafah crossing will be opened for Gaza pilgrims in the coming days. Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime. Hajj 2015 is anticipated to fall between September 20th and September 25th, taking place from the 8th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Hijri calendar. (end) ab.ibi