The decree was announced by Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, the minister of Islamic affairs, endowments, call and guidance, who is also the general supervisor of the hosting program.
“The King’s order embodies his permanent concern over the interests of Muslims across the world,” said Sheikh Saleh in the announcement.
The pilgrims that the Saudi kingdom will be hosting this year come from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Singapore, Myanmar, Japan, Laos, Bhutan, New Guinea, Taiwan, South Korea, the Maldives, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, South Sudan and many other African countries.
The total number of pilgrims who have performed Hajj under the program is 22,000 people worldwide. Last year 100 pilgrims from the newly formed country of South Sudan participated.
