Gul to perform Haji in Mecca next week

President Abdullah Gul will perform the hajj (pilgrimage) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia next week. According to sources from the Presidential Palace, Gul will travel to Saudi Arabia upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. A great many statesmen perform the hajj each year upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia's king. This year, Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) will be celebrated beginning on October 15, and Muslims will become pilgrims a day before Eid al-Adha starts. Gul is set to return to Turkey on October 16. Afterwards, Gull will travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, to attend the Turkish-British Tatli Dil (Turkish for sweet talk) Forum to be held at the Palace of Holyrood on November 1-3.