Russian Muslims go on the Hajj

The first group of the Crimean pilgrims went to the Holy places in Saudi Arabia as part of the Russian Hajj mission, despite the attempts of the Ukrainian side to prevent this. About it RIA “news” the Vice-Premier of the Crimean government Ruslan Balbec.

In 2015, the pilgrims began to arrive in Saudi Arabia on August 16, their return is scheduled for November 12. Saudi authorities set annually for each country a quota on the number of pilgrims. The Russian quota is 16.4 thousands of people from the Crimea to Mecca will go 322 Muslim. The tour price is 2.6 thousand dollars. When the Peninsula was part of Ukraine, the quota is not exceeded 120 people, and the cost ranged from four to five thousand dollars. The cost of the tour for the Crimeans made to reduce the expense of grants of the Council of Ministers of the Republic and of the Fund for support of Islamic culture, science and education.

A group of pilgrims in the amount of 150 people left yesterday by plane from the airport of Simferopol at 15:00 local time, the second group, in the amount of 172 Crimean Muslims, went on Tuesday morning. Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will stay three weeks.

“Religion out of politics, and today the Saudis, as the receiving party, will meet the first Crimean pilgrims. The Hajj took place despite a protest from the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and some Ukrainian politicians who moved from Crimea and today, while in Ukraine, trying to harm the people of Crimea”, — quotes Agency the words of Balbec.

Vice Prime Minister stressed that the Russian Crimea demonstrates the dynamics of quota increase for pilgrimage. So, if last year in Mecca went 150 Crimean Muslims, then this year — 322.

“In 2016, according to the agreement, the quota is 400 seats. Taking into account the extent to which Muslims of Crimea are going to the Holy places, we will ask the Hajj mission of Russia 600 seats,” said Deputy Prime Minister.

About 12.5 thousands of pilgrims from regions of the North Caucasus intend to go this year for Hajj. As reported by TASS on the eve of the Coordinating center of Muslims of the North Caucasus, the first group flies to Medina from Mineralnye Vody airport on 9 September.

“The largest number of volunteers — in Dagestan, about six thousand people in the Chechen Republic — 2,5 thousand people in Ingushetia and about 1.5 thousand people,” — said in the center.

The remaining regions form a United group. Also, many pilgrims make out individual visas and travel to the Muslim Holy places combined itinerary, including flight tickets and bus ride.

As told by representatives of the regional organizers, complexity has caused sharply raised the dollar, and also the requirement of Saudi Arabia for pilgrims to issue the passports with electronic chips. “These problems we overcame, because the majority of the group was already formed long ago, with the dollar at 54 ruble. You can take the passport desired shape helped in FMS”, — told in the Spiritual administration of Muslims of the Stavropol territory.

Organizers note that all sent on a pilgrimage compulsorily vaccinated against possible infectious diseases. They were conversations about acceptable clothing and border crossing rules, baggage allowances, including religious literature and paraphernalia. Check out all the pilgrims planned to be completed by September 15.

As previously reported by TASS, according to the Council of Muftis of Russia, the first group of Russian pilgrims September 2 went to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj from Ufa.

According to the websites of travel agents, pilgrimage tour cost believers from 2.9 to 8.5 thousand thousand dollars.

The Holy places associated with the life of the prophet Muhammad, in the cities of Mecca and Medina Muslims visit on the eve of the feast of sacrifice Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated on September 23.