Devout Moslems on the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem are preparing for the annual “Haj”–pilgrimage to Mecca–which begins in less than two months. But chances that Moslems from Israel will be permitted for the first time to make the trip to the holy city in Saudi Arabia appeared dim. May-or Mahammed Ali Jaabari of Hebron appealed to the Saudian monarch, King Faisal, twice in the past two months to allow Moslems from Israel to enter his territory in transit. Last month he claimed that he had received approval but this was denied by Saudian authorities. A second request sent through the Saudian Embassy in Amman, Jordan last week has gone unanswered.
Moslems in the occupied territories began to file requests for travel permits yesterday. The requests are submitted to the respective military governors of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The permits are valid for 40 days which covers the length of the pilgrimage and return. The pilgrims will travel in specially licensed busses through Jordan where they will join other convoys heading south toward Saudi Arabia.
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