Nearly 60 percent of 22,320 Malaysian pilgrims have arrived in the holy land of Makkah and Medina, said Malaysia haj delegation chief Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

He said Malaysian pilgrims in Makkah had risen to nearly 7,000 while those in Medina were gradually reduced as they began entering Makkah in stages until Sept 28 for the haj pilgrimage.

Three more flights carrying 910 pilgrims landed in Makkah and Lembaga Tabung Haji has been receiving an average of 1,000 pilgrims from Medina daily, he told reporters in Makkah today.

Syed Saleh said so far, five out eight Tabung Haji accommodations in Makkah had become fully operational.

He said Tabung Haji was conducting various programmes for Malaysian pilgrims, including a revision on haj pilgrimage and visits to historical sites.

“From now onwards, pilgrims flying from Malaysia have to dress in ihram (haj robe) as they enter Makkah and should continue to perform the umrah (small haj).

“Tabung Haji officers at the point of departures are assisting the pilgrims on taboos that needed to be observed during the pilgrimage,” he added.

The final haj flight from Malaysia is on Oct 9 while wukuf (the grand assembly) on the Arafah plain to mark the start of the pilgrimage is on Oct 14.

- Bernama