The Haj season is upon us, and the first contingent of would-be Hajis arrives Sunday from South Africa. Muhammad Zeyne Haffejee, head of that country's 40-member Haj delegation, told Jeddah-based 'Arab News' at the South African Consulate General here yesterday that a total of 7,000 pilgrims will arrive on scheduled and chartered flights of several airlines. "The number of Hajis this year is 500 more than last year," he said. He said that three flights - two in Jeddah, and one in Madinah, arrive Sunday, of which Yemenia, carrying 190 Hajis via Sanaa, would be the first to land at about 3:30 a.m., followed by Egypt Air via Cairo, carrying 50 pilgrims, at 8 a.m. Both arrive at King Abdul Aziz International Airport. The third, which is a direct flight by Saudia, carrying 400 pilgrims, lands in Madinah at 11 p.m. "Hajis will also come on Emirates' scheduled flights via Dubai," added Muhammad Ameen Hartley, deputy head of the mission. --more 1244 Local Time 0944 GMT
