A FULLY-EQUIPPED ambulance has been presented by the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) to the Bahrain Haj Mission.
The ambulance, which left for Mecca, follows an annual tradition that has been going on for 19 consecutive years.
BRCS secretary-general Mubarak Al Hadi said the move follows instructions by Supreme Council of Health chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to provide comprehensive ambulance services to Bahraini pilgrims.
Mr Al Hadi added that a trained team of volunteers from the society including Salman Issa and society driver Aqeel Sabt will accompany the ambulance to serve Bahraini pilgrims.
A total of 4,625 pilgrims started travelling across the border for the annual Haj season on Saturday after Bahrain’s original pre-pandemic quota was reinstated by the Saudi authorities.
It is an increase from the reduced quota of 2,094 pilgrims offered to Bahrain last year (2022) following two years of closure due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Pilgrims are divided between 61 Haj operators licensed by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry.
Haj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the five pillars of Islam.
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