Qa'dah 17, 1431, Oct 25, 2010, SPA -- Over 13,500 Chinese pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year, almost a seven percent increase on last year's number of 12,700 pilgrims from China. The first batch of 4,620 pilgrims arrived on October 18, and the second batch is expected to leave China on October 27. “Along with this year's pilgrims, there are 51 members of the China Islamic Association and they will be part of the Hajj mission to help the pilgrims complete their Hajj,” said China Islamic Association Vice President Mustafa Yang Zhibo at a press conference held at the Chinese Consulate in Jeddah. “There will also be a special medical team, which will include doctors and paramedics to take care of the pilgrims. The mission will have its own imams who will guide the pilgrims during the Hajj." Zhibo told Arab News that the average age of the Chinese pilgrims is 60, while women account for one third of them. By November 9, all Chinese pilgrims will be in Makkah. --MORE
