Haj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government from worshippers' lodging, transport, fees and gifts.

The choice is attributed to price difference between the Rahmah haj packages and the haj fee for muassasah pilgrims.

More than 3.8 million Tabung Haji depositors have registered and are awaiting their turn to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam.

The estimated time frame for a decision from Saudi Arabia is also unknown.

Industry players say such activities were detected as far back as five years ago.

The number of umrah pilgrims alone has increased by an estimated 900% over just 25 years.

Israeli police say 'dozens of extremists' broke into a section of the religious site while 'wildly flinging the fences and endangering human life.'

Pilgrims to Mecca this year must be under 65 and fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

High Court judge allows his application after the lead prosecutor says the prosecution was instructed not to object.

Idris Ahmad says Saudi Arabia has issued a circular with which Malaysia must comply.

Authorities will begin accepting travel requests from Aug 9.

This year's haj, with participants chosen through a lottery, is larger than the pared-down version staged in 2020 but drastically smaller than in normal times.