An estimated 2.5 million Muslims have converged on Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage, as workers toil round the clock to complete construction projects designed to avoid deadly stampedes.

This year’s hajj is also taking place amid fears of the spread of swine flu as pilgrims flooded into the kingdom from around the globe.

Four have already died from the A(H1N1) virus, the authorities said, but on Tuesday the health ministry played down the swine flu risk to the hajj.

“There is no risk of the illness spreading as we are well-prepared and have taken the necessary measures” to prevent an outbreak, ministry spokesman Dr Khaled Marghlani told a news conference.

All of this year’s pilgrims were due in the holy city by late Tuesday in time to begin the hajj rites on Wednesday, day one of the six-day season.

The rites begin with the “tawaf,” the circling seven times of the cubic Kaaba building in the centre of the Grand Mosque, in whose direction all Muslims around the world pray.

   »»» Canada.com

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