Dubai: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims reached Makkah on Sunday. The group was from Turkey and had 290 members, Arab News reported.
Saudi Press Agency reported that the Turkish Consul General in Jeddah, Mete Zaimoglu, lauded the Kingdom for its level of service to the pilgrims.
In the meantime, the Saudi administration notified on Sunday that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah closed the registration for domestic pilgrims for the year. The registration had opened on June 3 through the "Eatmarna" app along with the official website of the Hajj ministry.
The ministry further said in a statement that there were more than 3,90,000 people from the Kingdom who applied for Hajj this year, and those selected will be announced following a draw. The candidates will be selected through an e-lottery, while priority will be given to those who have not performed the pilgrimage before. It also said that those selected would be informed through a text message on their registered mobile phones.