Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today extended his congratulations and well wishes to all Malaysian pilgrims departing for the Holy Land to perform the haj this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, in a Facebook post, noted that Malaysian pilgrims had begun their journey to the Holy Land in stages starting today to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam. He expressed his prayers for the pilgrims, wishing them good health, ease in their affairs, and divine guidance and protection throughout their pilgrimage. He also hoped that their worship would be accepted and rewarded with ‘haj mabrur’ (a blessed pilgrimage).

The first group of 284 Malaysian pilgrims departed for the Holy Land at around 4 am today on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). A total of 100 special chartered flights operated by AMAL by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines have been arranged to transport 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for the 1446H/2025 haj season.