RIYADH: A total of 7,248 pilgrims arrived from the conflict zone of Iraq to perform the Haj this year, praying for themselves, their loved ones and the beloved country to emerge from the conflict and to be a country of their dream filled with peace and prosperity.

Embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime journey, the first group of pilgrims moved from Madinah to Makkah on Sunday evening, said a representative from the Iraqi High Commission for Haj in the Kingdom.

“A group of 1,232 pilgrims will be transferred from Madinah to Makkah in 28 air-conditioned buses on Monday after they complete their supplications,” he said.

The Iraqi High Commission for Haj, in cooperation with the Haj stry have made an elaborate arrangement to ensure that the pilgrims experience a smooth and hassle-free Haj this year.

Hussein Al-Shareef, deputy Haj minister, recently said that arrangements were in place with cooperation from the Haj offices in conflict zone countries to ensure that pilgrims travel to the Kingdom and experience a pleasant stay.

“Pilgrims from conflicted areas 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,” he underlined. Earlier, the Iraqi Haj commission official maintained that the journey to the holy city by their pilgrims was smooth and incident-free and all pilgrims were flown to the Holy City of Madinah in 24 flights that included 10 flights from Baghdad, four flights each from Najaf and Sulaimaniyah and three flights each from Basra and Erbil.

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