ASHGABAT -- Turkmenistan is sending fewer than usual pilgrims on the Hajj this year, Char Tarapdan radio reported September 5. This year, 188 Turkmens departed for the September 5-26 pilgrimage.
Turkmen officials are concerned that pilgrims "could be recruited by extremist networks", Pirguly-haji, an imam in Dashoguz Province, told Caravanserai.