Kuala lumpur: The safety and health of haj pilgrims remain the foremost priorities for the Saudi Arabian government when considering the approval of additional haj quotas, as stated by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Haj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, communicated this focus during a recent official meeting aimed at discussing various aspects of haj management. The meeting also addressed Malaysia’s request for an increased quota of pilgrims.

Mohd Na’im expressed that while he conveyed Malaysia’s desire for a larger quota, the Saudi government highlighted that factors such as safety and health would be thoroughly reviewed. This caution is due to concerns about overcrowding, especially since haj and umrah occur during the summer months, increasing the risk of health-related incidents.

Speaking to reporters after launching a fardu ain guidance class for the hearing-impaired, Mohd Na’im further mentioned that if Saudi Arabia decides to allocate an additional haj quota, Malaysia is likely to be prioritised. This consideration is attributed to Malaysia’s efficient management of haj operations and the commendable discipline exhibited by Malaysian pilgrims.