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- Saudi Arabia set for $10 billion from hajj: study
- Updated today at 11:32 PM
- MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Saudi Arabia could earn US$8.5 billion (S$10.6 billion) from this October's hajj, according to a study published on Monday, which predicted that two million Muslims would make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
- The Mecca Chamber of Commerce said revenues from the world's largest annual gathering of Muslims would increase by 3 per cent from last year.
- The study was based on estimates that 1.98 million pilgrims will travel to the holy Muslim city of Mecca, including 1.38 million, or 70 per cent, from abroad.
- According to the report, a pilgrim who has travelled from another country will spend an average of 17,381 riyals (S$5,790) during Hajj, which runs for five days.
- A domestic worshipper pays around 4,948 riyals, the study found.
- Expenses include housing, food and drink, gifts and phone bills.
- Millions of people visit Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, a pilgrimage all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives if health and finances permit.
- Saudi Arabia also hosts millions of Muslims annually for the lesser umrah pilgrimage, which may be undertaken at any time throughout the year.
- Around six million Muslims took umrah during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in July this year, according to authorities.
- As well as Mecca, Saudi Arabia is also home to Islam's other holiest place - Medina.
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