The first batch of 312 Malaysian pilgrims arrived in Mecca from Medina early today.

They checked into Janadiriyyah Hotel, one of the 15 hotels booked by Lembaga Tabung Haji for nearly 28,000 Malaysian haj pilgrims in Mecca, at about 1am today (7am Malaysian time).

Malaysian haj delegation chief Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the pilgrims left Medina by bus at 5pm yesterday (11pm Malaysian time) and arrived in Mecca after an eight-hour journey.

He said after breakfast, the pilgrims led by mutawif (guide) headed for Masjidil Haram (the Grand Mosque), about 1km away, to perform the tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaabah) and saei (running between two mountains).

Syed Saleh said unlike before, the pilgrims’ luggage arrived one day before their arrival at the hotel in Mecca and sent to their rooms.

“This will enable the pilgrims to focus on worship as soon as they set foot in the holy city of Mecca,” he told Malaysian journalists at Janadiriyyah Hotel, which also serves as Tabung Haji’s administrative centre during the haj season.

Syed Saleh said as the Grand Mosque was still not crowded, Malaysian pilgrims could perform tawaf and saei comfortably.

He advised the pilgrims not to expose themselves too long in the sun due to the warm weather, with temperature rising up to 30 degree Celsius.

So far 350 Tabung Haji employees are already in Mecca to serve the pilgrims and the number will increase to 600 at the peak of the haj season, he added.

- Bernama