Around two million Muslims united in calling for an end to Palestinian bloodshed in Jumma prayers at the Grand Mosque here on the eve of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

"We call on the decision-makers and leaders to work to stop the bloodshed against our brothers in Palestine," said Imam Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah al-Sabil, as many of the worshippers wept.

He also prayed for "the liberation of (Jerusalem's) Al-Aqsa Mosque," one of the holiest sites in Islam and which the Imam charged was being "held captive by a gang

of Zionist Jews."

More than 420 people have been killed, mostly Palestinians, in clashes with Israel since late September.

Sabil's sermon also called for "unity among Muslims, by taking as an example the Hajj," for which around 1.5 million Muslims have travelled to Makkah in western Saudi Arabia from around the world, joining 500,000 residents of the kingdom.

Amid tight security, pilgrims started to pour into the Grand Mosque complex from five in the morning and stayed on for the Jumma prayers yesterday, the last

day before the Hajj rituals start in earnest.

They prayed in the humidity under a sweltering sun, with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees Celsius in the shade.

Saudi Arabia has mobilised its health, security, traffic and water agencies in Makkah, as part of a series of measures to avoid fire and stampede tragedies in past years that cost hundreds of lives.

The interior ministry has completed a security plan aimed at protecting the pilgrims.

Only people with special permits are allowed into Makkah and

authorities have closed off roads leading to holy sites outside the city in a bid to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.

The water department in Makkah began Thursday to pump fresh water to the main sites of the Hajj.

Ten million cubic metres of water, mainly for sanitation, will be supplied over the coming week. Authorities are also planning to distribute more than 10 million bottles of drinkingwater.

Today, the Hajj which every able-bodied Muslim with the means must carry out at least once in a lifetime moves to Mina, a valley outside Makkah where the pilgrims will be housed in fire-proof tents.

Ihe pilgrims will keep an all-night vigil in Mina, and tomorrow', they will gather at Mount Arafat. 12 kilometres aw'ay. to pray until sunset for forgiveness at the site of Prophet Mohammad (SM)'slast sermon.

On Monday, the start of the Al-Adha (sacrifice) feast, the faithful will sacrifice a sheep and start to stone three pillars that symbolise Satan, 'the "Stoning of Satan" continues for three day’s.