The pilgrimage to Mecca is in jeopardy for many Russian-Muslims as the plunge in the rubble currency is making travel significantly more expensive. This year’s hajj (which begins September 21st) costs almost as much as the average annual salary for many Muslims, and is resulting in 8,000 less pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia, reports Rushan Abbyasov, the deputy chairman of the Council of Muftis, Russia’s leading Islamic authority.
For Russian-Muslims, This Year’s Hajj Is Costly
Original article by JAMES ELLINGWORTH published in the AP on 09/07/2015
