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BUSY time... travel agent Muhammed Ansari making bookings for the pilgrimage.
Hundreds book for pilgrimage to Mecca
Vaila Finch3/ 1/2006
AROUND 1,000 Muslims from Rochdale will be making the annual Mecca pilgrimage this month.
Milkstone Road travel agents Virgo have been taking numerous bookings for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Known to be physically and emotionally tough, the five-day event sees pilgrims travel between the two cities in a profound demonstration of their faith.
The Hajj is, according to Muhammed Ansari, manager at Virgo, increasing in popularity.
He has taken around 100 bookings, but thinks the total number of people set to travel is nearer 1,000.
At around £1,600, the pilgrimage is not cheap but Mr Ansari says the price does not deter people.
"People save all year round for the purpose of going," he said. "They will be saving up now for next year's pilgrimage."
The 25,000 British Muslims expected to make the pilgrimage will this year be helped by a new on-the-spot help service of counsellors and doctors launched by the government to provide support for pilgrims.
Members of Rochdale's Muslim community have already been prepared for what to expect during prayer sessions at the town's mosques, but Mohammed Sharif of Rochdale's Ramadam Foundation said that people could still benefit from education about the event.
He said: "There are lots of people going in groups and they know what to expect. We wanted to run some awareness events this year but it is having the time and resources to do it.
"In the long term it would be good to set something up."
Councillor Mohammed Sharif said: "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity if you can afford it.
"I know a couple of people who go every year and there are more young people going now too."
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7/01/2006 at 07:58