The number of non-Saudi pilgrims has declined this year to hit 1,3 million pilgrims compared to 1,7 million in the previous year, said a well-informed official. 

Speaking to MENA, Religious Tourism Expert Basil al Sisi attributed the decline to the deteriorating economic situation of many countries in the Muslim world, as well as the increase in prices of aviation and hotels in Saudi Arabia. 

The political situations and violence in a number of Muslim countries, mainly Syria, Iran, Iraq and Yemen, also contributed to the decline, al Sisi added. 

Hajj is the world’s largest annual gathering, one of the five pillars of Islam and a journey that all able-bodied Muslims are expected to carry out at least once in their lifetime.

Source: MENA