Haj winds up with last prayers, souvenir rush
Posted: 29 November 2009 0424 hrs

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MECCA, Saudi Arabia - Stoning the devil and circling the Mecca Grand Mosque's kaaba shrine, two million pilgrims launched into the final rituals of the haj on Saturday ahead of their massive exodus from Islam's holiest city.

Tens of thousands of the faithful were circling the black cubic kaaba at the heart of the mosque in Mecca while many more continued the three-stage ritual of stoning the devil at the jamarat pillars in nearby Mina.

The stoning of the three broad stone pillars over two or three days marks Abraham's three rejections of the devil's attempts to persuade him to ignore God's instructions to sacrifice his son Ishmael, as related in the Koran.

After the stoning they circumambulate the kaaba to complete the haj, required of all able Muslims and for many a purifying, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I spent the night here (in Mina) with my husband to finish the stoning rite early this morning because we have to leave tomorrow," said Moroccan Amira al-Haj, 59, pointing to a carpet near the three pillars.

Many who had completed the rigorous process were shopping for souvenirs to take back when departures begin en masse late on Saturday.

Saudi-style jalabiya caftans, prayer beads, Saudi perfumes and dates were popular, as were jugs of holy water for drinking and ablutions from the Zam Zam well inside the Grand Mosque.

After fears of a mass outbreak of swine flu, outlawed political protests by Iranians and deadly stampedes of past pilgrimages, the authorities said this year's haj -- attended by 2.3 million pilgrims -- was mostly trouble-free.

King Abdullah offered congratulations on the event's success, citing firmness in addressing security matters.

"We don't tolerate anyone disturbing the rituals or undermining the security of the pilgrims," he said.

"The security of the pilgrims is a responsibility that does not permit laxity or lenience. We assume this duty with firmness and determination."

In the event, fewer than 100 suspected flu infections were reported and only five deaths, all of people already suffering other afflictions, health officials said.

Intense preparation and screening for the flu, and new walkways designed to avoid crushes, were credited with keeping the haj safe.

"The measures were very effective," said Algerian pilgrim Mohammed Fazeli.

"Frankly, I did not witness any impact of crowd congestion or the swine flu," said Ahmad Mansour Sissi, a Senegalese government official.

Iranian pilgrims staged their ritual-like protest, chanting "death to America and Israel" as the "enemies of Islam," inside their own tent and the authorities did not interfere.

This avoided a possible clash after Riyadh warned against politicising the haj.

The only problem, most pilgrims said, was Wednesday downpour that sparked flash floods in nearby Jeddah that killed 98, according to the latest toll.

The rains also caused minor flooding in Mecca and jammed bus transport between Mecca and Mina, but there were no pilgrim deaths, according to the authorities.

In Jeddah, where roads and bridges in some parts of the city were swept away, authorities said routes for pilgrims to the airport and seaport haj terminals were clear.

Most of the 1.6 million pilgrims from abroad begin taking buses to Jeddah, the main gateway to Mecca, on Saturday afternoon and will continue catching flights, ferries and long-haul buses home over the next week.

Another 700,000 pilgrims came from inside Saudi Arabia, 200,000 fewer than expected. Officials blamed the lower number on swine flu worries and tighter budgets because of the economic downturn.

- AFP /ls