Forging a Russian Hajj Route 115hajj season, the fleet had placed ads in Central Asia’s major newspapers, an-
nouncing its new service. That fall, nearly all of the hajj pilgrims who passed
through Odessa left for Arabia on Russian steamships, mainly those of the Vol-
unteer Fleet.^82
Figure 3.8. Volunteer Fleet advertisement for “Hejaz steamships.” The text describes
onboard accommodations for Muslims, including plenty of water, kitchens, and open space
on deck to grill food. 1910. (Turkistan wilayatining gazeti)