Over1.3 Million Pilgrims Arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Mina, 07 Dzulhijjah 1437/09 September 2016 (MINA) – The number of pilgrims coming from abroad until Wednesday amounted to 1,323,520 pilgrims, according to statistics issued by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports.

It pointed out that 1,245,203 pilgrims arrived by air, 65,594 pilgrims by land, and 12,723 pilgrims by sea.

Meanwhile, domestic pilgrims from some parts of the Kingdom were slated to leave for Makkah on Thursday.

The Ministry of Health has advised them to take care of personal hygiene and ensure that they have all the needed vaccinations and carry medicines with them, in case of need.

This year, Saudi pilgrims were able to obtain permits to perform the Haj through online applications; payments were made according to the package chosen by the pilgrims.

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The directorate had warned people not to attempt to do the pilgrimage without a permit given by the authorities.

Most of the pilgrims from distant places such as Dammam and Riyadh chose to leave for the pilgrimage on Thursday so that they can join Friday prayers.

Indonesian haj pilgrims

There will be 168,000 Indonesian nationals and 144,000 Pakistanis performing haj pilgrimage this year. Both nations are the world’s major Muslim countries.

Previously, Indonesia dispatches 210,000 pilgrims annually. This came after Saudi Arabia cut the quota of respective countries by 20 percent from the basic quota as agreed by member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) due to renovation works at the Masjidil Haram (Haram Mosque).

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Likewise, the number of domestic pilgrims are also to be cut by 50 percent.

The renovation works reduce the capacity of the mosque to accommodate the pilgrims to perform thawaf from 48,000 to 22,000 per hour. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
–SPA
(T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)