Saudi authorities deploy about 100,000 of Saudi Security Force troops to secure Hajj festivities on unprecedented earlier level. This year Hajj has attracted more than 3 million pilgrims. About 1,730,000 of foreign pilgrims come to Mecca in December 2008, the record number of Muslim pilgrims coming from outside to Saudi Arabia for the most important Muslim event of the year. Mansoor Alturkee, Major General of Saudi security forces, has called this event the largest security challenge.
The Saudi First Responders put on standby 24 field hospitals with 4,000 beds, 140 medical emergency centers, 11,000 medical staff, 150 ambulances and 100,000 security force. Prince Nayef, high Saudi official responsible for Hajj security, has been specialy appraised by the King Abdullah for keeping law and order during festivities.
Hujj security represents a significant share of Saudi National security budget.
