Pre-Hajj flights under govt scheme conclude today

Arrival of pilgrims under private scheme will continue

MAKKAH:

The month-long pre-Hajj flight operation, which began on May 9 to transport around 70,105 Hajj pilgrims from major cities of Pakistan to holy cities of Madinah and Makkah under the government scheme, would conclude on Monday (today), according to the Hajj flights schedule.

The last pre-Hajj flight, number SV-3727 of the Saudi Airlines, carrying 380 passengers, will reach the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah on Monday (today) morning, according to the schedule, a copy of which is available with APP. The flight would take off from Islamabad at 3 am (PST).

This year, 160,000 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj, with 70,000 under the government scheme and 90,000 through private Hajj groups organisers (HGOs). Statistics show that so far, 63,321 pilgrims had reached Saudi Arabia under the private scheme, and the remaining would reach before Hajj on June 14.

The Saudi authorities have finalised preparations for Hajj 2024. Over 1.9 million pilgrims worldwide are expected to perform the pilgrimage this year. On Sunday Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz visited the Hajj terminal complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Prince Saud, who is the vice chairman of the Hajj Central Committee, visited 143 passport counters, 31 customs areas, the health centre, the 24 external loading area, which covers 35,000 square meters and the work of security and operational personnel at the airport, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

In Madina, the Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, also finalised the arrangements. The Presidency has planned various activities, events and initiatives, with focus on distributing copies of the holy Quran among the pilgrims.

“The Presidency has prepared to enhance the frequency of religious events and activities in the two holy mosques during the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah,” Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, stated.

“This initiative aims to enrich the experience of pilgrims who have travelled from all parts of the world to perform the ritual of Hajj,” he said. “The Kingdom’s leadership is committed to promoting the message of the holy Quran globally and reinforcing the values of tolerance and moderation.”

According to the SPA, Al-Sudais said that the Saudi leadership had prioritised attention to the two holy mosques and their visitors, aiming to facilitate their rituals with ease and convenience. He added that 1 million translated copies of the holy Quran would be distributed as gifts to the pilgrims.