Haj quota stays at 30,200 people: TH

KUALA LUMPUR: The official quota for the Malaysian haj pilgrims this year stays at 30,200 people like last year, according to Pilgrims Fund Board (TH) Haj Department senior general manager Datuk Seri Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.
In a statement today, he said the quota was set by the Saudi Arabian government, namely, 0.1% of the total population of Malaysia.
Hence, TH denied reports of a news portal that the Saudi government had blocked or reduced the quota this year.
In fact, TH had been making close preparations especially in terms of accommodation in Mecca and Madinah, flight, transportation, meals and co-ordination of TH personnel in an effort to ensure the welfare of the pilgrims were guaranteed throughout the pilgrimage.
"The pilgrims have also attended the Perdana Haj courses nationwide beginning last week to raise their knowledge related to the haj worship especially on the practical aspects.
"Three more Premier Haj courses will be held this week in Perlis, Central Zone of Sarawak and East Coast Zone of Sabah," the statement said.
The first flight of pilgrims to the Holy Land is expected on July 14 while the last flight is expected on August 14, 2018. — Bernama