Pilgrimage convoy takes detour to reach Laos

The 'Kembara Inspirasi Haji' (KIH) 2017 convoy has been forced to take a detour to arrive earlier at the Thailand-Laos border before it closes at 10pm.

According to the original plan, the pilgrimage convoy was supposed to stop at Chiang Mai, but instead had to go to Chiang Rai, saving 50 kilometres in distance and two-hours of journey time.

The detour enabled the convoy to arrive at the border around 8.30pm, Thailand time.

The convoy had travelled a distance of 2,460 kilometres, including 800 kilometres on Friday.

Meanwhile, seven of KIH participants were able to perform Friday prayers at the 100-year-old Al- Falah Mosque in Lampang that could accommodate for a congregation of 100 people at one time.

KIH 2017 participants are expected to end their land expedition in Dubai and will then fly to the holy land of Makkah before performing Wukuf (a grand assembly) in Arafah.

Yesterday, half of 16 KIH participants were forced to return home due to financial constraints.

-- BERNAMA