Saudis to Put Limits on Haj Pilgrimage

AMMAN, Jordan — Saudi Arabia will temporarily limit the size of the annual pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in the kingdom, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal said Wednesday.

Last year’s Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina was marred by bloody clashes between Saudi security forces and Iranian pilgrims in which at least 402 people were killed.

Prince Saud told an Islamic conference in Amman that the decision to set quotas on pilgrim numbers was taken in light of “current circumstances and the increasing number of visitors to the kingdom during the Haj.” This year’s Haj will start in mid-July.

He did not give details of the restrictions but said they will be in force while a major program to enlarge the two holy shrines and improve pilgrim facilities is carried out.