A royal welcome for first Iraqi Hajj pilgrims at Arar crossing

Northern Borders Region Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid (left) welcomes the first batch of Iraqi pilgrims on their arrival in the city of Arar on July 28, 2018. (SPA)

The first Iraqi Hajj pilgrims traveling by land arrive in Arar, Northern Borders Region, on July 28, 2018. (SPA)

Border Guards, Boy Scouts and other government workers are assembled in Arar for a briefing on the arrival of the first Iraqi pilgrims. (SPA)

Northern Borders Region Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid (right) welcomes the first batch of Iraqi pilgrims on their arrival in the city of Arar on July 28, 2018. (SPA)

• Arar is a traditional stopover of Iraqi pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia by land for Hajj

JEDDAH: The first 2018 Hajj pilgrims from Iraq received a royal welcome at the Arar border crossing on Saturday from Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan, governor of the Northern Borders.

“I had the honor to convey the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Iraqi pilgrims and I was pleased with the determination, efforts and accuracy of those working at the checkpoint after receiving a positive feedback from the pilgrims themselves,” Prince Faisal said.

“King Salman, the crown prince, the minister of interior and the Saudi people are all keen to provide the visitors with the best services and facilitate their journey.

“The Kingdom has harnessed all available resources and established great projects in Makkah and Madinah in order to serve the pilgrims properly.”

Prince Faisal also praised the Saudi volunteers for their work with the Hajj pilgrims, which he said reflected the true image of volunteerism among young people.