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Sunday, November 29, 2009

Egyptians protest in Saudi Arabia over hajj management

Mina, Saudi Arabia (Earth Times / dpa) - Around 500 Egyptians demonstrated Saturday outside Egypt's hajj headquarters in Mina, Saudi Arabia over the alleged mismanagement of pilgrims. Witnesses said the protesters chanted slogans against Egypt, which they said has refused to change the situation.

The main grievance appeared to be related to housing, with the protesters saying they had been left without accommodation in the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina during the hajj. Some said they were forced to sleep on the streets.

This year, an estimated 75,000 Egyptians are undertaking the pilgrimage that is one of the basic tenants of Islam.

Just five kilometers from Mecca, the desert town of Mina becomes a tent city during the hajj, to allow for more pilgrims to attend the event.

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