63 Malaysian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia brought home


A group of Malaysian pilgrims have been brought home from Medina, Saudi Arabia, where they had been stranded since June. – EPA pic, November 12, 2022.

SIXTY-three Malaysian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia since June have been brought home, with the last group of 23 pilgrims safely arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.

Wisma Putra in a statement today informed that the group of 23 people arrived at 1.20pm via a Malaysia Airlines flight (MH8023) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after the first group of 36 people arrived on November 4, followed by the second group of four people on November 7. 

“The return of the stranded pilgrims was carried out in compliance with the rules and laws set by the Saudi Arabian government. 

“The Malaysian government would also like to express its appreciation to all parties involved in helping to bring home the pilgrims concerned,” added the statement. 

Malaysian citizens are advised to always obey and respect the laws of the host country to avoid any difficulties when abroad. 

In an earlier statement, Wisma Putra and the Minister’s Office in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) informed that 63 pilgrims from Malaysia, comprising 28 adults and 35 children, were stranded in Saudi Arabia since June.

According to media reports, the pilgrims were brought to Medina in March by a tariqa group Naqshbandiyah Al-Kholidiah to perform the umrah.

However, they remained in Medina and were not taken to Mecca to perform the umrah after the tariqa leader was deported by the Saudi Arabian government on August 20 for allegedly violating local laws. – Bernama, November 12, 2022.


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