First Group of Malaysian Haj Pilgrims Arrives in Makkah

MAKKAH, July 31 (Bernama) – The first group of 278 Malaysian haj pilgrims for the current season , which left the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang at 5 am Sunday (Malaysian time), arrived at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah at 8 am local time (1 pm on Sunday Malaysian time). They were then transported in four buses to their place of accommodation at the Abraj AlJanadriyah Hotel here, which also housed the Makkah Pilgrims’ Fund Board (Tabung Haji – TH) headquarters. Awaiting their arrival were the Malaysian Haj delegation deputy head (welfare) Nurrin Anuwar Shamsuddin, Makkah TH senior officials and representatives of the haj handlers in Saudi Arabia, the Southeast Asia Muassasah and TH workers. The Malaysian pilgrims arrived wearing the “ihram” and were scheduled to perform the umrah later in the evening. The second flight carrying 420 Malaysian haj pilgrims from KLIA is scheduled to arrive in Makkah on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the first group of Malaysian haj pilgrims which arrived in Madinah on July 24 is scheduled to leave for Makkah on Aug 2 or 3. In all, there would be a total of 112 flights bringing 30,200 pilgrims from Malaysia, with the last flight to leave on Aug 26. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA