RIYADH: The first group of Ivorian pilgrims benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative arrived in Makkah on Saturday for this year’s Hajj. The 200 pilgrims were received on arrival by Ithraa Al-Khair Company, a company offering Hajj services to around 200,000 pilgrims from 48 non-Arab African countries.  The Makkah Route Initiative aims to provide high-quality services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries. As part of the initiative, biometric data is collected in the pilgrim’s home country and the necessary procedures are carried out there. An electronic Hajj visa is also issued in the pilgrim’s country. The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports ensure that health requirements are met before pilgrims enter the country, and baggage is coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements. Pilgrims are transported to their residences in Makkah and Madinah by bus and partner agencies transport their luggage separately.