Marking the beginning of the Hajj 2024, foreign pilgrims are already being received in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, May 9 (Dhul Qada 1, 1445AH), with the first batch of pilgrims arriving from India, Turkiye, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and South Africa.
Adorned in their countries’ traditional attires, the elated pilgrims were received by the Saudi authorities with excitement and hospitality at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah. They were presented with flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival
Muslim News gathered that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded all arrangements to airlift the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to the holy land for the spiritual journey of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, on Wednesday, May 15.
We captured the moments the pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these pictures>>
Bangladesh
The first flight from Bangladesh, carrying 415 pilgrims landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday morning. The country’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Mohammad Javed Patwary, joined other officials from the Bangladeshi mission in welcoming them at the airport.
“We are really happy to serve the pilgrims from Bangladesh,” the envoy told Arab News.
“We have experienced smooth service for the last three years under the Makkah Route Initiative; it is going to get better every year.
“Officials from all the concerned Saudi ministries, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Health, are here to welcome the pilgrims and help to make this lifetime journey a smooth experience.”
About127,198 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform this year’s hajj.
PICTURES: First batch of pilgrims from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 arrive in Saudi Arabia for #Hajj#Hajj1445 #Hajj2024 #NAHCON #MuslimNews @insharifain pic.twitter.com/GPhCVCXO6X
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 9, 2024
Turkiye
The Madinah airport also received the first pilgrims from Türkiye for the hajj pilgrimage, the last pillar of Islam. The airport ensured quick and smooth entry procedures for the arriving guests.
To facilitate the pilgrims’ arrival, the General Directorate of Passports has equipped all international ports — air, land, and sea — with the latest technology. A team of skilled and multilingual staff members are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all pilgrims.
Our correspondent learnt that 37,770 pilgrims from Turkiye will be in the holy land for the hajj 2024.
PICTURES: Pilgrims from #Turkiye have also arrived Saudi Arabia for #Hajj2024
The first group of pilgrims from Turkiye have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s #Hajj.#Hajj1445 #Makkah #Madinah #MuslimNews @insharifain @nigeriahajjcom pic.twitter.com/ibtY3lz7sL
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 9, 2024
Malaysia
A bouquet of flowers, souvenirs, light refreshments, and recitation of prayers marked the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of 282 Malaysian pilgrims, who arrived at their accommodation at the Emaar Royal Hotel in Madinah on Thursday, May 9.
They, who were passengers on the first flight (KT One) of Malaysia Airlines, MH 8050 from Malaysia, safely landed at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina at approximately 4:10 AM.
Seven buses transported them from Kedah, Perlis, and Kelantan to the accommodation zone managed by the Hajj Fund Board (TH).
For this hajj season, besides Emaar Royal, two other hotels were selected as accommodation in Medina for the pilgrims of Muassasah namely; Saja Al-Madinah and Anwar Movenpick, all of which are located close to the Prophet’s (SAW) Mosque.
The arrival of the group was greeted by the Chief Consul of Malaysia in Jeddah, Roslan Sharif.
Muslim News gathered that a total of 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims will perform this year’s hajj and they are expected to arrive the holy land in stages through 100 flights from the homeland, with the last one scheduled on June 9.
Afghanistan
PICTURES: First batch of pilgrims from Afghanistan 🇦🇫 arrived at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for #Hajj2024#Hajj1445 #Hajj #NAHCON #MuslimNews @insharifain @nigeriahajjcom pic.twitter.com/3ToVqcy0EM
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 9, 2024
Pakistan
The first hajj flights from Pakistan carrying 179 pilgrims also landed safely at the Madinah Airport on Thursday, May 9. The flight, PA-176, departed Karachi to Madinah. Following suit, the second flight, PF-754, also departed from Karachi, transporting 151 pilgrims to the holy city.
Following closely behind, Islamabad joined the procession as 200 pilgrims embarked on their pilgrimage through a third flight, PA-276, from the capital to Madinah.
Moreover, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport saw off its first hajj flight, PK-717, bound for Madinah at 10:32 am after a few hours of delay due to the fire that broke out at the immigration counters. A total of 329 pilgrims were aboard the flight.
The departure of hajj flights from Karachi this year is being done under the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, wherein the immigration clearance for the pilgrims was carried out at Karachi airport instead of upon reaching Saudi Arabia.
Eight immigration counters have been installed at the international departure lounge of Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Pakistan’s hajj flight operations would continue till June 10.
This year, 179,210 Pakistanis are set to perform hajj under both the government and private schemes, for which a month-long flight operation commenced on May 9.
PICTURES: First batch of pilgrims from Pakistan 🇵🇰 arrive Saudi Arabia through the Makkah route initiative for #Hajj2024#Hajj1445 #Hajj #NAHCON #MuslimNews @insharifain pic.twitter.com/Uw3uvAX8Vp
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 9, 2024
South Africa
Also on Thursday, May 9, the first batch of pilgrims from South Africa arrived in Jeddah. The 49 pilgrims from Africa were received by the Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non-Arab countries, affiliated with Ithraa Alkhair Company for Pilgrim Services.
The chairman of the Saudi Company, Dr. Ahmad Abbas Sindi expressed happiness about the arrival of the first group of pilgrims for this year’s hajj season, wishing stakeholders success in serving pilgrims under the Kingdom’s leadership.
Muslim News gathered that 2,500 pilgrims from South Africa will be transported to Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage.
Bangladesh
The first flight from Bangladesh, carrying 415 pilgrims landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday morning. The country’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Mohammad Javed Patwary, joined other officials from the Bangladeshi mission in welcoming them at the airport.
“We are really happy to serve the pilgrims from Bangladesh,” the envoy told Arab News.
“We have experienced smooth service for the last three years under the Makkah Route Initiative; it is going to get better every year.
“Officials from all the concerned Saudi ministries, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Health, are here to welcome the pilgrims and help to make this lifetime journey a smooth experience.”
About127,198 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform this year’s hajj.
PICTURES: First batch of pilgrims from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 arrive in Saudi Arabia for #Hajj#Hajj1445 #Hajj2024 #NAHCON #MuslimNews @insharifain pic.twitter.com/GPhCVCXO6X
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) May 9, 2024
