Back after the Hajj, Muslims reminisce

BEIJING - Going to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage is holy, but it can also involve some risk.

Ten Chinese Muslims died during the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca this year, down from 21 last year, said a senior imam aboard the last chartered plane for pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to China on Sunday.

Two other deaths occurred on return flights after those involved had entered China. All 12 incidents involved natural causes, added Wang Chong'en, an imam from Beijing, who led a team of more than 300 pilgrims.

The last chartered plane arrived in Beijing on Sunday, carrying 324 people from provinces including Jiangxi, Heilongjiang and Jiangsu.

China arranged 41 chartered planes for about 13,700 pilgrims this year, the first plane taking off on Oct 6 from Beijing.