Saudi Arabia will host 1,400 pilgrims from over 70 countries to perform Haj this year as guests of King Abdullah, local media reported today.
Saudi monarch King Abdullah, who is the custodian of the two holy mosques, has ordered the hosting of the 1,400 pilgrims from more than 70 countries to perform Haj rituals for this year within the framework of the hosting programme.
The programme was announced by Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The minister said that the total number of hosted pilgrims since starting this programme until the current Haj season amounted to more than 22,000 Muslims from different countries of the world.
About 1,36,020 Indian devotees are expected to arrive for the Haj pilgrimage this year.
