President of Tatarstan visits Mecca
(KZN.RU, March 16) Today, the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov arrived in Saudi Arabia. The Tatarstan delegation visited Mecca, where they made a "small hajj" - umra. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin was among the members.
Umra is a minor pilgrimage, which can be made not only in the month designated for hajj but at any time. The delegation also visited the main mosque of the Muslim world - Masjid al-Haram – performing rituals required of pilgrims.
Minnikhanov visited Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.