'File 61/13 I (D 133) Wahabis and Pilgrimage to Hedjaz' [‎63v] (138/431)

4. Detailed statistics of the pilgrimage are given in section (2). The total
number of pilgrims from overseas was substantially the same as in 1J.29, and is
estimated at between 81,000 and 85,000. Ihere was some vanation in the elements
of various nationalities. The numbers from Java and Malaya were not affected
by the slump in rice and rubber in those countries. The total of Malay pilgrims,
indeed increased from 1,406 in 1929 to 2,609 in 1930. The number of pilgrims
from Indian ports fell from 19,656 in 1929 to 16,697 m 1930; and the number of
British Indians from 15,146 in 1929 to 11,061 in 1930. This latter decrease was
attributed to political unrest and financial difficulties in India. Although the
various increases and decreases more or less cancelled out, the average wealth of
the overseas pilgrims was much less than in the previous year. The purchasing
capacity of the average pilgrim, who formerly spent a good deal on such things as
mementos of the Holy Land, was lower than in the past. It was still further
reduced by the increased demands of the Government and other necessary charges.
Thus, the camel hire to Arafat was doubled without previous notice, and that
from Mecca to Jedda, payable at a time when the pilgrim's resources are already
apt to be getting exhausted, was raised from Rs. 15/8/- to Rs. 28. This produced
a comparative stagnation of local trade. Sales of goods were stated by merchants
to be less by two-thirds than in 1929. The market was overstocked. Traders
were compelled to realise at low prices, but even the consequent competition and
cutting of prices did little to increase demand.
5. The number of pilgrims from the Hejaz itself and the interior of Arabia
was considerably less than in 1929, owing, it is said, to financial stringency in the
Hejaz and the unsettlement created elsewhere by the 1929 rebellion. On the other
hand, an unusually large number of members of the Royal Family,
and officials, &c., from Nejd took part in the pilgrimage. They were allowed the
privilege of going to Muna and Arafat by motor car, an unprecedented mode of
pilgrim-approach to those places, and one which greatly incommoded others.
About 300 cars and buses took the road to Arafat at the same time as the camels,
making their way through the lines of the latter. Much confusion ensued; litters
were overturned, and a good many pilgrims sustained injury. The
commandeering of houses at Mecca and Muna from their owners, or pilgrims
who had booked them ahead, in order to provide accommodation for the Nejd
visitors was a further cause of complaint, as pilgrims who had secured
accommodation, arranged for water supplies, &c., were driven into tents. Among
the houses commandeered was that maintained by the State of Hyderabad at
Muna. This had happened before in 1929, and the leader of the Hyderabad party
was, in 1930, provided with a letter, which it was hoped Avould afford them
protection. They were, however, again deprived of the house and the water which
had been stored for their use.
6. The Nejdis and the motor cars caused inconvenience in other ways.
Although a separate road for cars was provided at Muna to facilitate tlhe
performance of ceremonies and prevent congestion in the main thoroughfare, the
distinction was not observed until the King, on returning from Mecca after the
festival, himself saw the state of attairs and personally lashed the drivers who had
broken the rules. His slaves in Mecca behaved offensively. The Indian
vice-consul saw them pelt pilgrims with melon-rinds. One of the objects of this
insult was one Abdul-Hai, a teacher of Arabic at Oxford and a Royal guest. He
complained to the King, who was understood to have punished the offenders.
. ?• The security which Ibn baud has established on the roads "was well
maintained, but there were many complaints in 1930 of petty thefts and pilferage
at Muzalfa where pilgrims stop for a night on the way from Muna to Arafat.
1 he state of the roads generally has not improved. The stretch of 10 miles of
good road made betw een Jedda and Mecca in 1927 has been allowed to deteriorate,
and was m 1930 no better than the rest of the highway. The usual water-troughs
and first-aid sheds were provided on the road from Mecca to Arafat and an
attempt w as made at lighting it. Owing to the financial stringency however,
- ere was a paucity of doctors, and little medical help was available in the sheds.
e\\ cars plied at Muna and Arafat to pick up sick and infirm persons, but
there was little demand for them, and they were used by the doctors to transport
pilgrims S fellow-countrymen, to the further inconvenience of other
USe ^ f motor l cars ^ 01 \ pilgrim transport has had various
incidental consequences. The camel-owners have suffered severely, and are being