About two million Muslims have been performing the symbolic stoning of the devil at the end of the annual pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca - the Hajj, it was reported on Sunday.
Saudi authorities coordinated the mobilization of forces on the ground with hundreds of close-circuit television cameras mounted around Mecca to help prevent any possible disasters.
In previous years, security and safety were major concerns with stampedes and other incidents occurring as people moved between pilgrimage points.
This year's Hajj was also overshadowed by the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington and the subsequent war in Afghanistan.
The pilgrimage this year has been trouble-free, with tight security and tens of thousands of policemen deployed all over the holy city of Mecca. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
