China's Muslims arrive in Mecca for haj

As many as 11,800 Chinese Muslims have arrived at the holy city of Mecca on Monday for the annual pilgrimage, or haj.

"All the pilgrims, including working crews, have arrived in Mecca several days earlier. They will have some rest and receive religious training," an official surnamed Guo with the China Islamic Association, told the Global Times Tuesday.

According to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, this year's pilgrimage will be held from October 13 to 17.

The Chinese pilgrims are from 26 provincial regions, including Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai - which have the largest Muslim populations in the country. The average fee for such a journey is more than 30,000 yuan ($4,902), which covers plane tickets, food and local transportation.

The Chinese haj team chartered 38 planes to send the worshippers to Medina, and then go on to Mecca by bus.

A pilgrimage to Mecca is a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.

China has over 20 million Muslims, and the country has been organizing haj groups for over 20 years to aid them in completing the holy duty under the lead of the State Administration for Religious Affairs. Muslims can register with their provincial-level religious authorities for the journey.

The annual pilgrimage attracts millions of Muslims from around the globe, bringing intense security risks as well.

In July 1990, a stampede in Mecca caused 1,426 deaths, which makes it the most severe pilgrimage tragedy in history. In January 2006, more than 340 people were killed in a stampede in Mina, seven kilometers from Mecca, including four Chinese nationals.

"A total of 57 staffers have been sent to help coordinate. We also have more than 50 medical experts with the team to prepare for emergencies and take care of the Muslims' health," said Guo.