1-22-2005 Hajj Pilgrims Welcome Rain As Act of God
MECCA, Saudi Arabia - As rains lashed the Saudi desert, tens of thousands of drenched Muslim pilgrims welcomed the deluge Saturday as an act of God while they circled the cubic Kaaba shrine in this holy city's Grand Mosque, the final rite in the annual hajj pilgrimage.
"Rain is always a blessing and for it to fall so hard at the end of our hajj rituals means our sins are washed away and God has accepted our prayers," said a soaked Mohamed Jamal Khan
"We have elections coming up and I pray to God that it all goes through without any problems. The future of my country is at stake here."
"I prayed throughout the hajj for the peace and stability of my country," said the 57-year-old from the northern city of Mosul while considering whether to buy a set of Muslim prayer beads made in China.
MECCA, Saudi Arabia - As rains lashed the Saudi desert, tens of thousands of drenched Muslim pilgrims welcomed the deluge Saturday as an act of God while they circled the cubic Kaaba shrine in this holy city's Grand Mosque, the final rite in the annual hajj pilgrimage.
"Rain is always a blessing and for it to fall so hard at the end of our hajj rituals means our sins are washed away and God has accepted our prayers," said a soaked Mohamed Jamal Khan
"We have elections coming up and I pray to God that it all goes through without any problems. The future of my country is at stake here."
"I prayed throughout the hajj for the peace and stability of my country," said the 57-year-old from the northern city of Mosul while considering whether to buy a set of Muslim prayer beads made in China.