Jeddah has received the first flights of pilgrims from Egypt and Malaysia. The maiden flight from Malaysia that brought 450 pilgrims was received at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport by Malaysian consul general Mohammed Khalid A. Abdul Razak and Haj consul Redhuan Sabaruddin along with other officials on Wednesday.

The consul general announced that the Kingdom can expect to receive 22,320 pilgrims from his country this year through 64 flights. He added that Tabung, the Haj authority, and welfare fund are working tirelessly to provide the pilgrims with optimum services.

Egyptian pilgrims, who form the largest bloc among Arab countries, have also started to arrive in the Kingdom since Thursday.

Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Mustafa said that there will be a total of 62,000 Egyptian pilgrims performing Haj this year. He also said that a total number of 245 flights of EgyptAir and Saudia will be transporting pilgrims into the Kingdom until September 27.

“All the Egyptian pilgrims will be provided with Zamzam water on their return,” Mustafa added.