Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Fawziya Mohamed, the 38-year-old Malaysian expatriate, couldn’t believe her ears when she received a call from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia telling her that she was one of those chosen as pilgrims this year.

“This is my first time to perform Hajj. Alhamdillah, I feel very grateful because I didn’t think I was going to receive this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Saudi Arabia said that the number of pilgrims who are eligible to participate in this year’s Hajj will be limited.

“This is the most grateful feeling I have ever felt, and I truly believe this was a gift as I will be celebrating my upcoming birthday which falls on July 28.” "This is the best birthday gift I ever received in my life," she said.

The Kingdom has said that those individuals performing Hajj are of many different nationalities and residents of the Kingdom. Non-Saudis who are residents in Saudi Arabia comprise 70% of total Hajj pilgrims for this pilgrimage while Saudis make up the remaining 30%, most of whom are from the medical and military sectors. — SG