Arrangements for Muslims in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region who wish to take part in State-organized visits to Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage are being enhanced by the local authorities.

Aisha Imish, a senior religious leader in Baicheng in the south of the region, participated in one of the official trips in 2013.

"Before, I was respected for my religious knowledge, but I had even more authority after I came back from Mecca," the 50-year-old said.