GAZA: Palestinian pilgrims protest at the Rafah crossing to demand its reopening to perform the annual Haj pilgrimage

Story: Dressed in white and carrying banners, hundreds of Palestinians protested near the Rafah crossing with Egypt, asking to be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the Muslim pilgrimage. Egyptian soldiers stood meters away from the protesters who held up the Muslim holy book, and banners reading, 'All religions allow freedom of worship'. The protesters chanted, "We are answering your call," wearing the white robes that are worn during the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage will take place in December, but many pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia two weeks before it begins, as Muslim teachings advise pilgrims to travel to the area before the pilgrimage begins. One pilgrim called on the Egyptian President for help. "We urge Mr. president, Mohammad Husni Mubarak, to feel sympathy with this poor people, this stricken people," said Abu Adnan, who was hoping the Egyptian president would pressure Israel into opening the crossing so that he and other pilgrims like him could travel to Saudi Arabia. Crossings at the Rafah border have been severely limited since the Islamist Hamas movement seized control of the coastal Gaza Strip in June from President Mahmoud Abbas' secular Fatah forces. Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led government in Gaza and his government urged Gazans to boycott Hamas government offices. The dispute led to two lists of pilgrims being created, with 2,200 being registered in Gaza at Hamas-run offices. It is unclear how Hamas will be able to obtain visas for their registered pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia, which requires passports be sent to the Saudi Embassy in Egypt to get a visa to enter the country. But that is difficult to do while the Rafah crossing is closed. Legislative Council member Yehia Mousa said that Palestinians should be able to move and worship freely. "It is a rights of ours, under all international laws, to have freedom of movement, freedom of worship. So we as Palestinians, do no accept to be imprisoned," said Mousa. In the past Palestinian militants have blown up parts of the concrete fence to allow people to pass.

ITN Source | November 30, 2007

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