February 1, 2003
Source: Arab News
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=22434
On February 1, 2003 the Arab News reported that "the number of pilgrims coming for this year’s Haj from the United States is estimated at just 7,000, according to the US Consulate in Jeddah... That figure is 3,000 lower than last year, according to official statistics... Some are questioning whether the reason for the decrease in the number of US pilgrims this year is that this may be a bad time for Muslims to openly declare their faith in America."