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| Arabia |
| Haj Preparations Complete |
| 2004-01-06 |
| Saudi Arabia has completed preparations for this yearâs Haj. Some 2.5 million pilgrims from 160 countries are expected and Haj Minister Iyad Madani said regional problems had not affected the inflow of pilgrims from all over the world. The minister said a number of new projects had been implemented in Mina and Arafat to improve the pilgrimsâ welfare and security. âWe have also prepared a plan in cooperation with the Civil Defense Department to deal with flash floods and other dangers during Haj,â he said. Madani said the security and comfort of pilgrims were the main focus of the government and its agencies. âWe have made all preparations as best we can in order to make this annual event a success,â the Makkah-based Al-Nadwah Arabic daily quoted the minister as saying. Here it comes, the largest single gathering of muslims in one place at one time this year. Or should I say, targets? If you wanted to show that the Saudi royals couldnât protect the Holy Mosques, this is the time and the place. Me, Iâm making popcorn. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 2.5 million of them! All seething in one place? Hope their magic rock doesn't melt! That would be... just awful! |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-1-6 10:19:07 PM |
| #9 I'll take my Goat on a Large Glass Plate please..... Well Done that is... |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2004-1-6 9:14:21 PM |
| #8 will the Zionist Death Ray⢠reach that far with the upgrades Wolfowitz and the neocons provided? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-1-6 7:54:03 PM |
| #7 "Eeeee-cellent, Smithers! Prepare the meteorite!" |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-1-6 6:23:19 PM |
| #6 Tsk, tsk, Seafarious, Fred will be at the O-Club at Wheelus for this one. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2004-1-6 6:18:21 PM |
| #5 I'm wondering how many people get trampled to death during the "stoning of the devil" portion of the proceedings. Is Vegas taking odds? I've got $5 to wager.... |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2004-1-6 6:05:37 PM |
| #4 This is the ultimate definition of a target-rich environment. You may fire when ready. |
| Posted by: BH 2004-1-6 5:36:58 PM |
| #3 "H'okay, let's run the checklist..." "A bazillion Qu'urans?" Check. "A million goats for slaughtering on the roadside?" Check. "A million long steely knives for the, um, goats?" Check. "A million body-bags?" Check. "We're ready. May our pilgrims find renewed faith in the Religion of Peace and praise Allah (pbuH). Remember, people, 5 laps and then the pitstop." |
| Posted by: .com 2004-1-6 5:00:53 PM |
| #2 If we ask nicely, maybe Fred will let us watch the festivities from the ramparts of brooding Castle Rantburg. I've got some extra lawn chairs and a blanket or two. |
| Posted by: seafarious 2004-1-6 4:39:49 PM |
| #1 I agree, Steve. The Saudis better contract out to the Paks or Syrians for backup. May I bring some |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-1-6 4:35:26 PM |