Malaysia expresses gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the Makkah Route initiative, now in its eighth year, which streamlines the Haj pilgrimage journey for Malaysian pilgrims.
SEPANG: Malaysia has expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the Saudi government for the Makkah Route initiative.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the programme, now in its eighth year, continues to benefit Malaysian Haj pilgrims.
He spoke after sending off the first group of 284 pilgrims for the 1447H/2026M season at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1.
“Alhamdulillah, I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia for these amazing initiatives and programmes,” Zulkifli told reporters. He added that the quality of services improves annually and that pilgrims are very happy with the arrangements.
The minister noted that the programme has significantly sped up procedures and reduced difficulties at Saudi entry points. Saudi Ambassador to Malaysia Osamah Dakhel R Al-Ahmadi said the successful cooperation reflects the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
“This is the eighth year of the Makkah Route,” the ambassador said in Arabic, with Zulkifli translating. “It provides convenience for Malaysian Haj pilgrims and, insya-Allah, offers many benefits.”
Malaysia was the first country selected to pilot the Makkah Route initiative in 2017. Under the programme, Saudi immigration officers are stationed at KLIA to process pilgrims’ passports before departure.
This allows pilgrims to bypass immigration and customs queues upon arrival at airports in Medina or Jeddah. The initiative also facilitates the direct transfer of baggage to their accommodation in Makkah and Medina.
The baggage tagging process, supervised by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah, begins at KLIA. Also present at the send-off ceremony were Deputy Minister Marhamah Rosli and Tabung Haji officials.
