Source: Xinhuanet

11-24-2006 09:39

BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 9,600 Chinese Muslims who plan to make a pilgrimage to Mecca this year will be provided with transportation, medical, food and accommodation services, said a source with the Islamic Association of China (IAC).

Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern airlines will arrange a total of 31 non-stop charter flights for the pilgrims. Special Muslim food will be provided on the charter flights.

Every pilgrim will be allowed to carry 25 kgs more than the standard free luggage quota, allowing pilgrims to bring back holy water from Mecca, said an official with the IAC.

Yang Zhibo, vice chairman of the IAC said the association has set up a special office to provide services for the pilgrims. The office will help obtain passports and visas within ten days. "

A 26-member medical team will accompany the pilgrims to Mecca this year. Anyone who suffers some chronic diseases will be taken care by doctors on their ways to Mecca.

On Nov. 29, the first charter flight will take off from Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, and arrive at Medinah, Saudi Arabia, after a flight of some ten hours. From Dec. 3, charter flights will depart from Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, for Medinah.

Charter flights will begin from Beijing and Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, to Medinah, on Dec. 13.

Chinese Muslim pilgrims will return from the pilgrimage by charter flight from Jan. 5 to Jan. 24, 2007.

"There are more pilgrims going to Mecca this year than ever before," said Yang.

 

Editor:Lu Yuying