From China.org.cn:
A record number of more than 10,500 Chinese Muslims are expected to fulfill their pilgrimages to Mecca , Saudi Arabia , according to the Islamic Association of China (IAC) Sunday.
This is the first time the figure is exceeding the 10,000 mark, said Hong Changyou, IAC vice chairman. The first group of IAC staff and doctors will leave for Mecca in early November, almost one month ahead of the pilgrimage rites, which will occur from Dec. 18-22 this year. The number of Chinese making the pilgrimage has been rising steadily in recent years. In 2004, more than 4,700 fulfilled their pilgrimages and last year, the number has rose to 9,799. [Full Text]
