Saudi holds security drill, as millions visit Mecca for Hajj

22 October, 2012

The Kingdom has used helicopters and camouflaged military trucks, besides commandos in a security drill, apparently to send a message across the world that the country was safe for pilgrims visiting the holy Muslim city in droves for Hajj pilgrimage this year.

SAUDI ARABIA has carried out massive security drill, which included helicopters, military trucks besides commandos brandishing automatic weapons, ahead of Hajj pilgrimage– the world's largest annual gathering in which Muslims from across the globe descend on Mecca – mandatory on every able Muslim at least once in his lifetime, according to Islam.

More than 2 million Muslims are expected to reach Mecca for pilgrimage this year, but the instability in the region, mainly the conflict in Syria has raised some security concerns.

Saudi Arabia, although insists that Hajj will not be affected by the instability shaking the region, according to AFP. Kingdom's interior minister, Prince Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz, according to Al Jazeera told reporters on past Saturday that 'those coming to Hajj are Muslims and Muslims would not hurt one another, especially not during Hajj". He added: "I don't expect pilgrims or the pilgrimage to be affected by what is taking place elsewhere, whether Syria or any other place," Such an act would have very bad effects and whoever tries to use Hajj for political aims will be sent back home."

In 1987, 402 people, including 275 Iranians had lost their lives after police tried to control a demonstration in the Muslim holy city. Earlier this month, a Saudi security chief had warned that country wouldn't tolerate any attempts to 'exploit the Hajj pilgrimage to stage political rallies', referring to Iranians indirectly.

But Prince Ahmad dispelled any such concerns. "We don't expect any unrest to be caused by Iranians. They have assured us that they are as concerned about the comfort of pilgrims as we are," he said.