Madinah — The first group of pilgrims from Turkey arrived in Madinah on Saturday night to perform Haj this year.

They were received by Essam Demiati, the deputy chairman of the National Adillah Establishment, which is the Saudi agency in charge of coordinating all pilgrim activities in Madinah.

Demiati, along with other staff members, gave the pilgrims Zamzam water and flowers.

He said everyone in the Kingdom works to serve pilgrims “with great honor”.

The coordinator of the Turkish pilgrims’ group thanked the government and the people of Saudi Arabia for their warm welcome and great service provided for pilgrims.

What Saudi Arabia is doing is widely appreciated, he added.

Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria Adnan Mahmud Boustaji took part in a ceremony organized by Nigerian Haj officials at Abuja International Airport to celebrate the departure of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ambassador said the Kingdom considers it an honor to welcome pilgrims and spares no efforts to provide them the best services and facilities.

Nigerian officials thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for the services provided to pilgrims coming to the Kingdom from all over the world. — SPA