The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has launched the second phase of Hajj trainings across Pakistan, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday, as the South Asian nation prepares for the annual pilgrimage which begins in June this year.
Last year, Saudi Arabia restored Pakistan’s pre-coronavirus Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and lifted the upper age limit of 65 years for performing the pilgrimage. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj under the government scheme in 2023 while the rest used private tour operators.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has visited Pakistan.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit on Monday. The minister led a high-powered delegation to Islamabad with his visit aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and pushing forward previously agreed investment deals.
His trip came a little over a week after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Makkah and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to expedite investments worth $5 billion.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.
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In Dec. 2023, Pakistan announced the results of a draw for Hajj 2024, with more than 63,000 applicants selected for this year’s pilgrimage under the government scheme. The remaining will use private tour operators.
“The purpose of the training is to educate pilgrims about religious rituals, administrative matters and regulations of the host country,” Radio Pakistan reported about the second phase of training.
“For this purpose, the Ministry along with 40 resource persons, religious scholars and master trainers have organized training sessions at 122 different locations across the country at the district level.”
At the end of the training sessions, the mandatory vaccination process will be started at all Hajj camps, with pilgrims getting three vaccines free of cost ten days before departure to Saudi Arabia.
“They will also be provided with a free bag, scarf, Ihram belt, shoe bag and mobile SIM from the respective bank counter,” Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan began Hajj 2024 training workshops and educational sessions in February, designed by the government to educate pilgrims about the rituals and procedures of performing the annual pilgrimage.
