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GV Aircraft taxing PAN TO airport building (2 shots)
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GV & SV Pilgrims off aircraft and on tarmac (6 shots)
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GV Pilgrims board airport coach with luggage (7 shots)
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Initials BB/0046 WLW/PN/BB/0054



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thousands of Moslem pilgrims have been flying in to Jeddah Airport en route to Mecca for the annual Hijja Festival. The pilgrimage, obligatory at least once in a lifetime for Moslems, with dispensations for those unable to travel, is one of the most holy in the Islamic calendar. The festival celebrate the life and faith of Abraham.

Several days of fasting and ritual prayer are involved in the festival, and about a quarter of a million Moslems usually attend each year. Non-Moslems are forbidden to enter Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed.

SYNOPSIS: Thousands of Moslem pilgrims to Mecca have been arriving at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia on the final stage of the journey to the holy city of Mecca--birthplace of Mohammed, and a city forbidden to non-Moslems. Mecca's annual festival, the Hijja, celebrates the life and faith of Abraham, and is compulsory at least once in a lifetime to all Moslems able to travel. Abraham, according to Islamic belief, visited Mecca in order to sacrifice Ishmael--but an angel prevented him and at the last moment a ram was substituted.

The last stage of the journey is made by bus from Jeddah Airport. During the festival, which involves several days of fasting and ritual prayer, about a quarter of a million Moslems crowd into the city. The city owes its prosperity to the pilgrim trade. Local occupations concentrate on catering and the manufacture of religious ornaments.