95% of haj pilgrims have departed for Holy Land

Ninety-five per cent of the 30,200 Malaysian haj pilgrims have already departed for the Holy Land.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the remaining five per cent would take the last flight on Aug 28.

"Although I am not in the Holy Land with the pilgrims, I monitor and receive daily updates from Tabung Haji on those who are in Makkah and Madinah.

"As of today, 95 per cent of the flights have already departed and the last flight is on Monday," he said at the launch of the 'Program Mahabbah Radio Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIMfm) Kedah 2017' at Masjid Al-Khairiyah Bedong here, last night.

The first haj flight from Malaysia was on July 24 while the last on Aug 26 was rescheduled following the Saudi Arabian government's decision to impose a more stringent procedure in the issuance of haj visa to prevent unauthorised entry into the holy land by terrorists.

Meanwhile, Jamil Khir credited the organisers of the radio programme for their efforts in the progress and development of Islam in the country.

"This radio is a broadcasting model that could reach about 1.4 millions of people and IKIM is not merely standing on a broadcasting platform but is more advanced including its television and social media that could penetrate society worldwide," he said.

During the programme themed, 'Ukhwah Islamiah Asas Penyatuan Ummah', 160 members of the less fortunate community from Bedong zone received basic necessities from the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) and Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia.

Also present were IKIM director-general, Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Baharuddin and YaPEIM director-general, Datuk Abibullah Samsudin.

-- BERNAMA