Nepali travellers safe in SArabia
Hom Karki
Following a crane collapse that resulted in 107 deaths in Mecca on Friday, the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia informed that Nepalis in the holy city are in safe condition.
According to acting Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ananda Prasad Sharma, there were no deaths of Nepalis in the holy city of Mecca where thousands of pilgrims from all across the world have gathered to attend the annual Muslim Hajj.
Chairman of Nepali Hajj Committee Taj Mohammad Miya said Nepali Hajj travellers are in safe hands in ‘luxurious’ hotels. “We are about 20 minutes far from the incident site,” Miya told the Post, adding that they do not have any difficulties.
Hajj travellers began their journey to Mecca from September 8, with 620 Nepalis reaching the city until Saturday, the embassy informed. Sharma added that some are still on their way.
The Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia had recently increased the quotas of Nepalis visiting Mecca. Sharma said a meeting of the ministry agreed on an additional 1,000 quotas for Nepal on Thursday. With this, 2, 000 Hajj travellers from Nepal can attend the annual Muslim Hajj each year.
After the Ramjan, Muslims from around the world go to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which begins in about 10 days’ time. Followers of Islam believe that they should perform a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life time.
Published on: 13 September 2015 | The Kathmandu Post
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