50,000 Malaysian pilgrims perform Umrah in Ramadan

RIYADH: Approximately 50,000 Malaysian pilgrims performed Umrah during Ramadan this year, up from 40,000 the previous year, according to Malaysian Consul General Mohammed Ali Selamat.
He said the pilgrims included high-ranking government officials such as Minister of Home Affairs Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Johor Chief Minister Khaled Nordin, Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron, Terengganu Chief Minister Razif Abdul Rahman, Perak Chief Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Education Minister Idris Jusoh.
He said the pilgrims he talked to expressed satisfaction regarding the local arrangements on facilities, transportation, accommodation and food catering.
“The Malaysian pilgrims also expressed satisfaction regarding the expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah,” said Selamat, who arrived to assume his new post in the Kingdom a month ago.
He had earlier been posted in Taipei, Croatia, Morocco.
He added that the consulate extends services regarding passports, related documents and other consular matters but it is the travel agents who are responsible with matters relating to Umrah pilgrims.
“All pilgrims made arrangements with the travel agents regarding Umrah trip during Ramadan and throughout the year,” he said.