I would like to know how many U.S. citizens travelled to Saudi Arabia
for the Hajj in Mecca in each of the last 5 years

Hello Peterdull, 
 
Thank you for your question.


Here is the data you requested regarding the number of U.S. citizens
that traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj in Mecca for the last 5
years.

1999-  6,000
2000-  7,000
2001-  9,000
2002- 10,000
2003-  7,000


Below I am providing short excerpts from the articles where this
information was taken.



1999 – 6000

“One of a Muslim's duties, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam,
is to go on a Hajj at least once during his or her lifetime. This is a
pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. Approximately two
million Muslims went in 1999, of which about one million were from
Saudi Arabia, and 6,000 were from the U.S. The number of American
pilgrims is increasing each year.”
Source: Religious Tolerance Org
http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm



2000 – 7,000

Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah 
Author: Anayat Durrani
Published on: March 1, 2001

“Hajj is the largest religious gathering in the world, drawing Muslims
from over one hundred nations. Every year over two million Muslims who
are financially and physically able make their journey to Makkah to
perform Hajj. Visa records from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia show that
some 7,000 American Muslims took part in the pilgrimage last year with
the numbers steadily increasing each year, according to the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.”
Source: Suite 101
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/islam_in_the_us/61747
http://www.arabia.com/egypt/life/article/english/0,5127,10546,00.html


2001 -  9,000
2002 – 10,000

American Muslims embark on the Hajj
Saudi Arabia-USA, Local, 2/6/2002 

“An estimated 10,000 American Muslims are preparing to embark on the
annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, in
Saudi Arabia, later this month. They will join an estimated one to two
million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world.”

(..)

“The Saudi Embassy in Washington says about 9,000 American Muslims
went on the hajj in 2001. Ibrahim Hooper, the spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based
advocacy group, said the number of American Muslims making the hajj
increases by 1,000 or 2,000 yearly. Hooper said he expects about
10,000 American Muslims to make the journey in 2002. Islam is the
fastest growing religion in the United States.”
Source: Arabic News
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/020206/2002020639.html



2002 – 10,000
2003 –  7,000

“ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia, February 10 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) -
More than two million Muslim pilgrims began pouring into the plains of
Arafat on Monday, February 10, for the climax of the annual hajj,
praying for forgiveness and for Iraq to be saved from a threatened
U.S. attack, as Iraqi pilgrims vent their anger at the U.S. plans to
attack Iraq and at the silence of Arab leaders.”

(..)

“The Iraqi camp is just several hundred meters (yards) away from a
camp housing some 7,000 American Muslims who came for the hajj this
season, 3,000 less than last year because of heightened tension in the
region.”
Source: Islam Online 
http://www.islamonline.net/english/news/2003-02/10/article04.shtml


Arab News 
“Fewer US Muslims arriving for Haj – Mohammed Alkhereiji : The number
of pilgrims coming for this year’s Haj from the United States is
estimated at just 7,000, according to the US Consulate in Jeddah. That
figure is 3,000 lower than last year, according to official
statistics.”
Source: Najaco http://www.najaco.com/travel/news/saudi_arabia/2003/february/1.htm


2003 - 7000

Fear kept Americans from Hajj
“The number of American Muslims attending the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi
Arabia has dropped massively amidst fears of the consequences of
openly stating their religion.
In all only 7,000 flew to Mecca from the US - significantly down on
previous years - even though every Muslim is expected to go once in
their lifetime.”

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2003/02/20 19:30:20 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2784513.stm



Search Criteria:

Statistics American pilgrims Hajj 
Statistics “number of pilgrims" Hajj
"Number of pilgrims" Hajj
Hajj pilgrims from the U.S. 



I hope this helps you in your research. If anything is unclear please
request clarification and I'll be glad to offer further assistance.ñ



Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga

Fantastic!!!  Exactly what I'd been looking for.  Fully satisfied.