KOTA BARU: The ongoing diplomatic spat between several Arab nations will not affect Malaysian pilgrims who are set to perform the Haj in the holy land in September.
Nevertheless, Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim urged Malaysian pilgrims to follow instructions issued by TH to ensure their safety during their pilgrimage.
"(The rift) between Qatar (and its supporters and several Gulf states) will not affect the movement of our pilgrims. I appeal to the pilgrims to follow instructions issued by Tabung Haji to guarantee their safety," he told reporters at Ziarah Kasih Ramadan al-Mubarak 2017 for the Kota Baru constituency at SK Sungai Mas here today.
The Saudi Arabian government had raised the quota for Malaysian pilgrims from 27,000 to 30,200 people in January.
Azeez said that 480 TH personnel, including doctors and nurses, will be on duty during the Haj season, with the first flight departing from Malaysia to the holy land on July 24. -- BERNAMA