263 Malaysians allowed to perform haj this year

 

The Saudi government is restricting the number of pilgrims this year because of the worsening pandemic. (AP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Two hundred and sixty-three Malaysians in Saudi Arabia are eligible to perform the haj this year, said minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

Last year, only eight Malaysians in the country were able to perform the haj.

Zulkifli said Tabung Haji (TH) would provide online haj courses to the pilgrims.

Speaking on RTM TV1’s Salam Baitullah programme last night, he said he hoped to hold an interview with prospective Malaysian pilgrims who are in the holy city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah this evening.

The Saudi Arabian government had earlier decided that this year’s pilgrimage season would only be for Saudi citizens and residents of other countries who were in the country, following the worsening Covid-19 pandemic. - FMT