• Members of the Saudi security forces pray before the start of a military parade in preparation for the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. REUTERS / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
    Members of the Saudi security forces pray before the start of a military parade in preparation for the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. REUTERS / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
  • Vehicles heading to the Muslim holy city of Mecca pass under a street sign that directs Muslims towards Mecca and non-Muslims, who are not allowed entry to Mecca, to other destinations, on the motorway between Jeddah and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    Vehicles heading to the Muslim holy city of Mecca pass under a street sign that directs Muslims towards Mecca and non-Muslims, who are not allowed entry to Mecca, to other destinations, on the motorway between Jeddah and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • Muslim pilgrims sleep near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. Haj draws three million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    Muslim pilgrims sleep near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. Haj draws three million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • Saudi soldiers parade during preparations for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    Saudi soldiers parade during preparations for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • Saudi interior minister Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz, centre right, reviews an honour guard before a military parade in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    Saudi interior minister Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz, centre right, reviews an honour guard before a military parade in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • Saudi soldiers exercise before a military parade drill in preparation for Haj, or pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, outside Mecca. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    Saudi soldiers exercise before a military parade drill in preparation for Haj, or pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, outside Mecca. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • A Saudi police officer wears a surgical mask as he checks passengers and vehicles at Al-Shimaisi passport checkpoint, between Jeddah and Mecca,. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    A Saudi police officer wears a surgical mask as he checks passengers and vehicles at Al-Shimaisi passport checkpoint, between Jeddah and Mecca,. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • A practice detention scenario is demonstrated as members of the Saudi special forces perform during military drill in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, just outside Mecca. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    A practice detention scenario is demonstrated as members of the Saudi special forces perform during military drill in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage, at a military camp in Arafat, just outside Mecca. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
  • A Saudi soldier covers himself with a plastic bag during heavy rains in Arafat, outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil
    A Saudi soldier covers himself with a plastic bag during heavy rains in Arafat, outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo / Amr Nabil

World

In pictures: Saudi Arabia prepares for Haj pilgrimage

The National staff

October 10, 2013

  • English
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Saudi Arabia’s interior minister yesterday warned against attempts to exploit the Haj for political purposes and said the kingdom was prepared for “all possibilities”, including terrorist attacks.

SecuritySaudi Arabia