Nadia Al-Fawwaz Saudi Gazette ABHA — A total of 186,000 pilgrims have come from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia to perform Haj this year, according to their Mutawif Tariq Anqawi, who said as many as 44 field teams have been mobilized to serve them. Anqawi said the number of pilgrims from these countries used to number about 250,000 but has gone down under the 20 percent cut in the number of external pilgrims because of the ongoing expansion projects in the Grand Mosque. He said there was a slight increase in the pilgrims who came from New Zealand and some Caribbean countries. "We understood the decision to cut down the number of pilgrims which will reduce the crowd and ensure a safe and secure pilgrimage," he said. Anqawi said the reduction of the number of pilgrims will also ensure them with better services. "There is a growing need for the expensive special services. Because of these costly services we have not incurred any losses as a result of the drop in the number of pilgrims," he said. He said about 50 percent of their pilgrims will remain in Mina until Dhul Hijja 13 (October 18) to spare them the crowd in the Grand Mosque on Dhul Hijja 12. Anqawi said about 6,000 of his pilgrims were transported by the Mashair train because their camps were close to the Jamarat area.