MORE PILGRIMS ENTERING MECCA

From Zulkefli Salleh

MEDINA, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- About 11,200 Malaysian Haj pilgrims have
arrived
in Saudi Arabia until Sunday.

Tabung Haji corporate communications general manager Rashid Hussein said
they were among 26,000 pilgrims from Malaysia performing the Haj this year (1429
Hijrah) in the Holy Land.

He said the Malaysian pilgrims who flew into Saudi Arabia since Oct 31 from
KLIA, Penang, Senai (Johor Baharu) and Kuching airports, then entered Medina
where the Prophet Muhammad mausoleum is located.

"The last Haj flight from KLIA is expected to depart on Nov 13 and arrive
here the next day," said Rashid, who also heads the Tabung Haji media delegation
comprising reporters and camera crew from RTM, TV3, TV9 and Bernama.

He said after this date, Haj pilgrims from Malaysia landing in Jeddah would
head straight to Mecca.


Malaysian pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia are travelling by bus to Mecca,
about 400km from here, in stages since yesterday after a nine-day stay here
where they perform 40 periods of prayers at the Nabawi Mosque, visit the Prophet
Muhammad mausoleum and other holy sites.

"Today, about 1,200 more Malaysian pilgrims will enter Mecca after the
first group Saturday. They will be staying at the Janadariah and Abraj
Khazidar hotels," said Rashid.

On the pilgrims' health, he said generally all were well expect for 11 who
received follow-up treatment at the Tabung Haji medical treatment centre here
for complaints like fever and coughing.

"Relatives of the pilgrims should not worry as the weather is not as cold
as the Haj period last year. It is in fact cool like in the highlands," he
added.

Tabung Haji is the Malaysian hajj pilgrims fund board.
-- BERNAMA