In 2015, 12,500 pilgrims from Northern Caucasus to perform Hajj

In 2015, 12,500 Muslims from Northern Caucasus intend to visit Mecca and Medina. Today, the first group of pilgrims departs from the airport of Mineralnye Vody. All groups are to depart till September 15.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Saudi Arabia has allocated to Russians citizens the quota equal to 16,400 places. However, Russian Muslims have been able to purchase only 12,500 trips.

This year, only Chechnya and Ingushetia have been able to fill in the quotas for Hajj allocated to them. The largest group, which includes about 6000 people, is to depart from Dagestan, the "TASS" reports with reference to the Coordination Centre of Muslims from Northern Caucasus.

All the pilgrims were vaccinated against infectious diseases, and they are familiar with the rules of crossing the border and transportation of the baggage, including things of religious nature.

Representatives of the Muslim clergy associate the decrease in the demand for tickets for Hajj with the depreciation of rouble against US dollar, which doubled the cost of the trip in roubles and made the trip unavailable for many people in the region. In comparison with 2014, the total number of Russian pilgrims decreased by 8000 people, the "RBC" reports with reference to Rushan Abbyasov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Council of Muftis.

This year, the cost of the trip for Hajj ranges from 2000 to 8500 US dollars.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.