Highest ever Chinese Muslims to perform Hajj

BEIJING—A record 10,700 Chinese Muslims are expected to perform Hajj this year. The Islamic Association of China (IAC) said here on Wednesday that it is the first time the figure has crossed the 10,000 mark. Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 7, Chinese Muslims will travel via 33 non-stop charter flights to the Saudi Arabia and return between Dec. 25 to Jan. 16, according to IAC Vice Chairman Yang Zhipo. The first group of more than 3,940 pilgrims will leave on Thursday from Lanzhou, capital of northwest China’s Gansu Province, almost one month ahead of the Hajj, reports official Xinhua news agency. According to Xinhua, China has more than 20 million Muslims, mainly living in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ganshu, Ningxia, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia and Henan.—Agencies