Muslim pilgrims pray outside Namira Mosque on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in this August 31, 2017 file photo. (REUTERS) Updated 54 sec ago Arab News August 12, 2018 23:02 71 Saudi Arabia will host 1,000 female and male pilgrims who are relatives of Palestinian martyrs this Hajj season JEDDAH: The head of Palestinian Medical Mission, Dr. Awadh Al-Hillul, praised the efforts being made by Saudi Arabia to facilitate pilgrims. Al-Hillul said in a statement on Sunday that the medical mission received a shipment of medicines from the Kingdom through the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom to serve Palestinian pilgrims throughout the Hajj season. The head of the Palestinian Medical Mission reassured that Palestinian pilgrims are well and receive the necessary care around the clock by the medical mission. The Kingdom will also host 1,000 female and male pilgrims who are relatives of Palestinian martyrs this Hajj season. King Salman has also ordered the hosting of 1,000 male and female pilgrims from the families of martyred Egyptian armed forces. Egypt’s Endowments Minister Mohammed Mukhtar Jumma praised King Salman’s decision. Talking to the Saudi Press Agency, Jumma said the royal gesture reaffirms the depth and strength of ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The initiative is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program, annually supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. In a statement, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdul Aziz Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, said that this year’s guests are coming from the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, noting that as many as 43,547 female and male pilgrims have benefited from this program since its inception 22 years ago.