National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): More than 600,000 pilgrims are
expected to visit Madinah to pay homage to the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) and pray at his mosque, according to Hatim
Qadi, spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah.
Talking to Saudi gazette he said, the pilgrims started
arriving in Madinah on Thursday.
“On that day, 60 Haj flights landed at Prince Muhammad Bin
Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah,” he added.
The spokesman said 14 lounges have been prepared at the
airport to receive the pilgrims who will be served by 42 passport
counters.
Qadi said all government and private establishments are
geared to receive the pilgrims and provide them with the best
services that will help them perform their acts of worship in
peace and comfort.
He explained that nine establishments are providing services
to the pilgrims.
Representatives of six Tawafa establishments, the Unified
Zamzam Office in Makkah, the Unified Office of Agents receive them
on arrival at the entry points, in addition to the Establishment
of Guides in Madinah.
Qadi said the number of pilgrims this year is expected to be
similar to last year as the cut in the quota system is still being
applied.
Since the 2013 Haj, the Saudi government has decided to
enforce a reduction in the number of pilgrims permitted for each
country under a quota system approved by the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to allow expansion work at the Grand
Mosque in Makkah.