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More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears
Key takeaways
- Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom.
- That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
- Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
David Gritten EPAThe pilgrims had to contend with temperatures of 45C on the first day of the Hajj Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war.
Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom.
That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
Article preview — originally published by BBC News. Full story at the source.
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