Jeddah, NU Online
India’s request for an additional 10,000 Haj pilgrims has not been accepted. The Kingdom has decided to maintain the earlier quota of 170,000 pilgrims for India, Arabnews.com reported.<>

The request was made during the visit of Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, who spoke to journalists after his meeting with Saudi Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar at the Indian Consulate yesterday. Ahamed arrived in Jeddah for signing an annual Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom stressed the need to convey to pilgrims not to bring food onboard any Haj flight. The first Haj flight is expected on Sept. 7, and the Haj period will span Oct. 14-18. The last Haj flight will leave on Nov. 20.

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq