Al-Qaeda may pose security threat to annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca: Saudi Arabia

MECCA - Al-Qaeda may attempt to disturb security during the annual hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has said.

“We cannot trust them (Al-Qaeda). We do not rule out any attempt to disturb the security of the hajj,” the News quoted Aziz, as saying.

The Interior Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, however stressed that the Saudi Arabian government was capable of foiling such terror acts.

“We are ready for any act that might take place. God willing, nothing of that will happen, out of respect to this rite,” Aziz said.

Some 2.5 million pilgrims are expected to descend on the Muslim holy city of Mecca for the five-day pilgrimage, which starts this year on Sunday.

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world.

It is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. (ANI)