A Total of 984,606 Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, 01 Dzulhijjah 1437/03 September 2016  (MINA) – The number of pilgrims coming from abroad to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the start of pilgrims’ arrival until the end of Thursday, reached 984,606 pilgrims, according to statistics issued by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports.

It added that the number of pilgrims coming by air reached 930,608 pilgrims; and 42,991 pilgrims by land; and 11,007 pilgrims by sea.

The kingdom has set that the Day of Arafah, known as Wukuf Day, will fall on September 11 and Eid al-Adha will be celebrated the next day.

The Saudi government made the decision after it announced that 1 Dzulhijjah 1437 Hijrah would fall on September 3.

The decision was taken after local religious authorities failed to sight the new crescent moon on September 1.

About two million Haj pilgrims from all over the world, including 168,000 Indonesians, will gather at Arafah, about 22 km from here, to pray and ask for forgiveness from God. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)