Record number of pilgrims makes minor Hajj

Over 5 million people have visited Mecca for minor Hajj this year,
Saudi Arabian Minister for Hajj Fuad bin Abdusalyam Al-Farisi said,
RIA Novosti reports.

Minor pilgrimage is a visit to Mecca for religious rituals. The
disorders in Arab states have not reduced the number of pilgrims.
The minister believes that more pilgrims will arrive for Ramadan. Half
a million more are expected.

4 million made the minor Hajj last year.

The major Hajj will be held in October. Quotas for pilgrim visits will
not be changed.

Saudi Arabia has a quota of 20,500 people for Russia. Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev promised to negotiate a bigger quota at a
meeting with muftis in early July.