Nearly 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far for annual Hajj pilgrimage
Mecca (AP): Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the vast majority by air.
This year's pilgrimage will be the first without the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, starting in 2020. More pilgrims are expected to arrive before the start of the Hajj on Monday.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able. It is one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
The Saudi media ministry Thursday that more than 1.49 million foreign pilgrims had arrived through its international ports up to Wednesday, with 1.43 million travelling by air.
Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims in 2023 to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage.
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Mangaluru CCB Police arrest four MDMA peddlers, seize 270 grams of contraband
Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) has successfully arrested four individuals suspected of peddling MDMA on the 15th of May. The arrests were made as the suspects were transporting the banned substance from Bengaluru to Mangaluru via car. The interception took place at Deralakatte, Mangaluru, following specific intelligence received by the police.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammed Ameen Rafi (23), Mohammed Sinan Abdulla (23), Mohammed Nauman (22), and Mohammed Safil (23), all residents of various locations within Mangaluru. Along with the suspects, the police confiscated 270 grams of MDMA, with an estimated street value of Rs 6,50,000, alongside four mobile phone handsets, a Toyota Corolla car, and a digital weighing scale, valued at a total of Rs 14,85,500.
According to police sources, the accused were involved in procuring the illicit substance from Bengaluru and distributing it to students and members of the public across Karnataka and Kerala. Mohammed Rafi has a prior case registered against him for drug peddling in the Mangaluru South police station in 2021.
The operation was executed under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner of Police (CCB) Geetha Kulkarni. She was assisted by Police Inspector Shyam Sunder H M, Police Sub-Inspector Sharanappa Bhandary, and other CCB personnel.
A case relating to this incident has been filed at the Cen Police Station, and further investigations are underway.
