1.7 million pilgrims arrive in Mecca for Hajj rituals

Number of pilgrims increased 7 percent compared to last year's Hajj season, Riyadh says

RIYADH (AA) - Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday the arrival of more than 1.7 million pilgrims to perform the religious rituals of Hajj.

The number of the arrivals through Monday was 1,664,974 by air, 92,844 by land and 17,249 pilgrims via a sea route, amounting to 1,775,067 pilgrims, according to a statement by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

It also reported the number of pilgrims this year will increase by 7% compared to last year’s Hajj season, equaling 117,223 more pilgrims.

In coming days, the Islamic World's attention will focus on Mecca where Hajj ritual begins for the faithful.

During last year’s Hajj, the number was 2,371,675 pilgrims, according to official statistics.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, including believe in Allah (God), prayer, charity and fasting.

* Ahmed al-Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara

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