ISLAMABAD: Saudi authorities have completed arrangements to bring Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to Mina, a statement by Pakistan’s religion ministry said on Sunday, as the annual spiritual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj nears its climax.

Pilgrims travel to Mina in Saudi Arabia either by bus, train, or simply walk to a large encampment where they spend the night in air-conditioned tents and worship the Almighty.

The worshippers prepare for the highlight of the Hajj at Mina— ascending Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon.

“Arrangements have been completed to bring Pakistani pilgrims to Mina’s tent by buses,” a statement by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said. The information was revealed during a meeting chaired by the secretary of the religious affairs ministry in Makkah, who was briefed on updates regarding the Hajj by the Pakistani Hajj Mission.

It added that Saudi authorities had also provided Pakistani Hajj pilgrims their train tickets and tent cards for the journey to Mina.

“51,267 Hajj pilgrims will be provided Mashair train facilities,” the ministry said, adding that 30,185 pilgrims would be brought to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah via buses.

Saudi authorities will start shifting Hajj pilgrims to Mina from today, the night between the 7th and 8th Dhul Hijjah, the ministry said, adding that pilgrims would spend the day and night of 8th Dhul Hijjah at Mina.

“Most pilgrims would be taken to Mina at night to escape the severity of the climate,” the statement said, adding that all pilgrims would reach Arafat by 9th Dhul Hijjah.

This year, Saudi Arabia reinstated Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and scrapped the upper age limit of 65. About 80,000 Pakistanis are expected to perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme this year, while the rest will use private tour operators.