MADINAH: A total of 62,176 pilgrims from countries facing conflict, including Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Libya, are expected to perform Haj this year.

Hussein Al-Shareef, deputy Haj minister, said that arrangements are under way with the Haj offices in those countries to ensure the pilgrims are able to travel to the Kingdom. He said these pilgrims will be welcomed in Makkah and Madinah, in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the country’s leadership.

Al-Shareef was quoted as saying in a local publication on Tuesday that pilgrims are also expected from Iran and that top services will be provided to them, he said.

Saeed Awhadi, president of the Iranian Haj and visitor organization, said in a recent press statement that his country would send the same number of pilgrims as last year. The pilgrims would be up to 57 years of age, he said.