Russia to send fewer Muslim pilgrims than in previous years - Hajj official
MOSCOW. Aug 25 (Interfax) - Saudi Arabia will provide assistance to Russian Muslims who are planning to make a pilgrimage; the matter was discussed at a meeting between the Russian government commissioner for the Hajj, Federation Council Deputy Speaker Ilyas Umakhanov and Saudi Ambassador to Russia Abdurahman Ibrahim al-Rassi.
"Saudi Arabia and its Embassy in particular are ready to provide all kinds of assistance to Russian pilgrims," the ambassador said.
The meeting also focused on the issue of Crimean pilgrims. Umakhanov said there will be more than 300 of them this year.
"All Hajj-related issues are outside politics, and Crimean Muslims will have all the necessary assistance, including from the government, in order to complete the Hajj," Umakhanov told reporters after the meeting.
He said that he and the Saudi ambassador also discussed global issues, including Islamic State (ISIS). "Today ISIS poses a real threat to the entire international community and the civilized world as a whole," Umakhanov said.
Saudi Arabia and Russia have the same approach towards countering international terrorism, including ISIS, he said.
This year the number of Russian pilgrims will be significantly lower than in previous years, due to the economic situation in Russia in general, Umakhanov said.
"Due to the ruble devaluation against the dollar, we reckon that the number of pilgrims will not exceed 12,000 people, our total quota being over 16,000," Umakhanov said.
