Syrian unrest: North Caucasus pilgrims stop going to Mecca through Georgia

Tour operators in Russia have announced that they are to stop transporting pilgrims going to Mecca, Saudi Arabia through Georgia because this route passes leads to Syria where there is serious unrest. This leaves the pilgrims with the option of flying either directly to Saudi Arabia or via Jordan. In recent years North Caucasus pilgrims were going to Mecca to attend Haji through Georgia. In particular it became convenient because Georgia lifted strict visa regimes for the citizens of the North Caucasus. More than 20 000 pilgrims plan to travel to Mecca from Dagestan, Tatarstan, Chechnya and other parts of the Russian Federation.