Kuala Lumpur: The Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has announced that it received 84,000 appeal applications for the available haj slots left open by pilgrims who are unable to perform the pilgrimage this year, stated Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im revealed that 80,000 of the applicants expressed their willingness to cover the full cost associated with performing the haj. He also mentioned that 91 percent of the 31,600 approved pilgrims have confirmed their participation, and those from the appeal list will fill the remaining slots.

Mohd Na’im expressed gratitude that a large majority of eligible pilgrims have received their flight details and confirmed their participation. He also mentioned the hope for an additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims for Malaysia from the Saudi government, highlighting an appeal submitted for this purpose.

Despite submitting an appeal for an increased quota, Mohd Na’im stated that there has been no response from the Saudi government regarding the matter. He confirmed that an indication of when a response might be received is still pending.