SEPANG: A total of 284 Malaysian pilgrims departed for the Holy Land on Tuesday (April 29), marking the beginning of this year's haj season.
The first group departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 4.05am aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH8050 and is expected to arrive at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, at 7.50am Saudi Arabian time.
The group comprises pilgrims departing from stations in Alor Setar, Kedah and Sepang, Selangor.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said a total of 100 special charter flights operated by Amal (by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines) have been arranged to ferry 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims to the Holy Land this season.
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"TH began deploying haj personnel to Saudi Arabia as early as April 24 to make early preparations for the arrival of pilgrims," he said when attending the Farewell Ceremony for Malaysian Haj Pilgrims to the Holy Land for the 1446H/2025 Haj Season on Tuesday.
Mohd Na'im said eight state departure stations would be used for pilgrims to report for departure, namely Sepang (Selangor), Alor Setar (Kedah), Kota Bharu (Kelantan), Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu), Bayan Lepas (Penang), Senai (Johor), Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
"I would like to remind all Malaysian pilgrims this season to uphold the good tradition and image of the country in the eyes of the world.
"All pilgrims must comply with and respect the rules and laws of the Saudi Arabian government by refraining from engaging in activities that violate the host country's laws," he said.
Mohd Na'im, together with Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and members of the TH management team, were also present to bid farewell to the first group of pilgrims at KLIA. – Bernama
