Muslim pilgrimage to peak on Feb. 10

Muslim pilgrimage to peak on Feb. 10

SAUDI ARABIA: Riyadh said the peak of this year's haj pilgrimage, in which about two million Muslims will retrace the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad, will fall on Feb. 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported late on Sunday.

The prospect of a U.S.-led war on Iraq for allegedly concealing banned weapons of mass destruction has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage taking place amid rising sentiment among Muslims opposed to an attack.

Saudi Arabia says it has taken precautions to ensure a trouble-free haj. An estimated 1.2 million pilgrims have already arrived, including 16,000 Iraqis according to official figures.

The climax of the pilgrimage will see worshipers climb Mount Arafat, the site of the Prophet's last sermon 14 centuries ago, and precedes the four-day Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) holiday which starts on Feb. 11. --Reuters