Crimeans depart for Haj courtesy of Moscow
- 10 years ago
At a Moscow airport, these Crimean citizens are preparing to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
They say they're excited to attend the Haj, which all Muslims are required to do at least once in their life under Islamic Law.
SOUNDBITE: Crimean national Asanova Zarema saying (Russian):
"Actually it was a pipe-dream, you know. So now that it is beginning to come true, of course, it is hard to describe. To come true, of course, it is hard to describe it."
Today's trip comes courtesy of Russia, which annexed Crimea earlier this year, and worked to make the necessary travel documents available.
Moscow is also subsidizing the cost of the trip, a fact not lost on many of these pilgrims.
SOUNDBITE: Unidentified Crimean citizen saying (Russian):
"We were given a small, well, not exactly small, but a good discount."
Moscow also arranged for 150 pilgrims to fly via charter to Saudi Arabia --- a gesture which will likely build good will among Crimea's larg
They say they're excited to attend the Haj, which all Muslims are required to do at least once in their life under Islamic Law.
SOUNDBITE: Crimean national Asanova Zarema saying (Russian):
"Actually it was a pipe-dream, you know. So now that it is beginning to come true, of course, it is hard to describe. To come true, of course, it is hard to describe it."
Today's trip comes courtesy of Russia, which annexed Crimea earlier this year, and worked to make the necessary travel documents available.
Moscow is also subsidizing the cost of the trip, a fact not lost on many of these pilgrims.
SOUNDBITE: Unidentified Crimean citizen saying (Russian):
"We were given a small, well, not exactly small, but a good discount."
Moscow also arranged for 150 pilgrims to fly via charter to Saudi Arabia --- a gesture which will likely build good will among Crimea's larg