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Saturday November 28, 2009

Tabung Haji to absorb extra cost due to delayed flights


MECCA: Tabung Haji will absorb the extra cost incurred for the longer stay of Haj pilgrims due to a delay in their return flight home. Flight services were rescheduled by the Saudi authorities recently.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom said the delay was because the Saudi Arabian government would only allow four Haj return flights a day, comprising two from Malaysia and two from Saudi Airlines. The directive was to avoid congestion in their airport.

“Some pilgrims have to remain in Saudi Arabia longer,” he told media personnel here yesterday.

Tabung Haji would absorb the expenses incurred during their stay, especially food and accommodation, he said.

“Initially they were concerned over the expenses as they had only paid for a period of 40 days,” said Jamil. According to the schedule, the first flight out will be on Dec 3 and the last leaves Saudi Arabia on Jan 2.

Meanwhile, in JAKARTA, about 500 Malaysians, including students, gathered at the Malaysian Embassy yesterday for the Aidiladha celebrations.

They also held a gotong-royong to cut the meat of three cows and 28 goats which were earlier slaughtered at the embassy grounds.

The meat was later donated to nine old folks homes and orphanages around the embassy by Malaysia’s Charge d’affaires ad interim to Indonesia Amran Mohamed Zain.

Earlier they performed the Aidiladha prayers at the Embassy hall, led by Religious Attache Abdul Aziz Jusoh. — Bernama

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