CAIRO: Egyptian Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfiq discussed with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah cooperation between the two ministries in organizing the Hajj season. Al-Rabiah is visiting Cairo at the head of a high-level delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. In light of the close historical relations between the two countries, Tawfiq welcomed the visit of the Saudi minister and his accompanying delegation to Cairo. Al-Rabiah expressed his appreciation for the efforts and organizational measures taken annually by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior to arrange, prepare and supervise the Egyptian Hajj mission, as well as his aspiration to identify the obstacles that Egyptian pilgrims may face during the Hajj season and any proposals to overcome them. Tawfiq praised efforts by the Kingdom to serve pilgrims and provide them with all the care they need. He stressed the keenness of the ministry to build communication and enhance the mechanisms of cooperation and consultation with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and to facilitate the Egyptian pilgrims’ performing the rituals of Hajj. The first Umrah flights from Egypt for Oct. 6 left Cairo International Airport following the decision of the Egyptian Cabinet to start grouping Umrah flights on the first of October. Osama Khairy, a member of the General Assembly of the Chamber of Tourism Companies, said that the first Umrah trips were launched and all trips arrived at Makkah and Madinah without problems. He continued: “The Egyptian portal for Umrah was a major reason for the success of the Umrah season this season.”