CAIRO: Cairo International Airport was a chaotic scene Monday, as pilgrims returning from Mecca, Saudi Arabia could not find their bags in the airport. The pilgrims were returning after performing Umrah, also known as the “small pilgrimage.” Umrah is similar to the Hajj pilgrimage that is obligatory for all Muslims, but can be performed at any time of the year. Military police intervened after security forces were not able to prevent pilgrims breaking into customs to try and locate their bags. Some of the returnees' relatives also damaged Saudi Airlines' office. Police placed the pilgrims' belongings in the runway and inside terminal halls for pilgrims to search for their bags themselves. One picture depicts hundreds of unclaimed baggage pieces. Police also moved baggage between terminals after scores of pilgrims failed to locate their belongings. Saudi Airlines sent some baggage to pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia, causing the mix-up.
