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He said in Mecca, there were about 100 clinics accomodating a total of 1,000 beds to serve the pilgrims. A fleet of over 150 ambulances, including 85 small vehicles, have also been deployed.

In another development, the newspaper also reported that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, had ordered the hosting of 1,000 Haj pilgrims from various countries this year, as part of a guest pilgrims programme supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance.

“The royal gesture shows the interest of the king in the welfare of Muslims the world over, and his desire to strengthen Islamic relations based on the holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet," Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh was quoted as saying.

The minister said the guests would be drawn from Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Asia and Africa.

-- BERNAMA

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