Preparations under way for hajj

MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- More than 2 million Muslims are expected to participate in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, beginning Nov. 15, authorities in Saudi Arabia said.

Saudi officials predicted the date the annual hajj would begin after sighting a new moon, Saudi authorities said.

The kindgom's official SPA news agency said a court confirmed the sighting of a new moon Saturday.

Al-Arabiya said more than 1.5 million Muslims from all over the world have already arrived in Mecca and Medina in western Saudi Arabia to participate in the hajj.

Saudi authorities said the Eid al-Adha religious holiday will be on Nov. 16.