Maintain high discipline, ambassador tells Malaysian pilgrims

All the 22,320 Malaysian pilgrims scheduled to perform their pilgrimage this year have been asked to maintain high level of discipline in line with the recognition given by the Saudi Arabia government before.

Malaysian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Zainol Rahim Zainuddin said the Malaysian pilgrims were internationally recognised as the best haj pilgrims who would always adhere to instructions to ensure smooth haj process.

"We have been recognised by the Saudi Arabia for our discipline, not only during haj pilgrimage, but also during umrah," he told a press conference after welcoming the first group of 442 Malaysian pilgrims who arrived at the Anuwar Movenpick Hotel here Thursday.

Zainol Rahim had also advised the pilgrims to give priority to their health and safety while performing haj.

He said the Saudi Arabian government had taken various measures to increase security control in the Holy Lands and the Malaysian government would always work closely with them through Tabung Haji.

For this year's haj season, 11,796 Malaysian pilgrims will arrive at the Madinah International Airport, while the rest, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

They will arrive in a total of 47 flights.