Jeddah - The skies opened as millions of Muslims pilgrims started the hajj rites in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, leaving the desert kingdom drenched in rain. In Mina, the torrential downpour turned roads into rivers of mud and left dozens stranded in buses and cars. Weather forecasts said rain would continue though Friday.
This year, fewer have made the pilgrimage, which every Muslim who can must make at least once in his life, amid of fears of the spread of the A/H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
Saudi authorities say 2.5 million pilgrims are expected in Mecca and Medina this year, including 1.6 million coming from abroad. An average of 3 million pilgrims have made the journey in previous years.
US President Barack Obama's Kenyan step-grandmother, Sarah Obama, is among them, the Saudi daily Okaz reported. She was accompanied by her brother and 10 others from her village in Kenya. They among roughly 3,000 people making the pilgrimage at Saudi King Abdullah's invitation and expense, the newspaper said.
Although four pilgrims have died of swine flu, the Ministry of Health says concern seems unfounded and hospital visits and ambulance calls are down significantly compared to last year.
Many predominantly Muslim countries had asked pilgrims to be vaccinated against the virus before their departure, for fear they might return with the virus.
Saudi authorities are to provide 1 million sterilized stones in velvet pouches for Thursday's ritual in which pilgrims symbolically stone Satan.
The hajj reaches its climax Thursday when pilgrims walk to Mount Arafat.
On Friday, Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Adha, or "feast of the sacrifice."
