Hundreds of thousands make this trip and to have a war before or during the event would be extremely disrespectful, far more so than Ramadan. The main task of the King oF Saudi Arabia is Keeper of the two Holy Mosques. One of those is in Mecca and the site of the Haijj. Saudi Arabia, inspite of the press reports to the contrary, is supporting the effort from their air base at Al kaharg from which the USAF and RAF strike into Iraq.