Assiri: Saudi King Gave Instructions to Open Pilgrims Flights to Mecca
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri stressed on Sunday that the Saudi King has given instructions to receive the flights transporting pilgrims from Lebanon to Mecca to perform the Islamic hajj pilgrimage.
“King Salam Bin Abdul Aziz has given instructions to open the skies for Lebanese pilgrims and to receive the flights of the Middle East Airlines (transporting the pilgrims),” the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation quoted the ambassador.
The ambassador’s comments came after reports said that Lebanese pilgrims were unable to leave to Saudi Arabia yet to perform the Hajj rituals because of the huge air traffic pressure during the Hajj season this year.
Reports said that similar delays happen each year but the issue is usually solved within days unlike this year.
They stated that more than 8000 pilgrims are still unable to leave to Mecca and that they have to travel maximum by Monday or else they will not be able to perfom the rituals.
Later during the day Mohammed al-Hout, the Middle East Airlines Chairman told the National News Agency that "the MEA will take the measures and launch flights to Mecca starting Sunday up until Tuesday to transport Lebanese pilgrims to perform the rituals of Hajj," on time.
Hajj is the greater Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. It is series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood.
All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the hajj once in their lives.
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