PUTRAJAYA: Tabung Haji is continuing its preparations for the 2024 haj season as planned despite the retaliatory attacks by Iran against Israel, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

       The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said they would work closely with government entities such as the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, as well as Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure the safety of Malaysian haj and umrah pilgrims in light of the current developments.

       "The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) is monitoring the current situation in the Middle East following the retaliatory attacks by Iran against Israel yesterday," he said in a statement here Sunday (April 14).

       Mohd Na'im said the retaliatory attacks had escalated tensions in the region which had already been high over the past seven months due to the cruelty of the Zionist regime of Israel against innocent Palestinian civilians.

       He also urged all parties to remain calm and always refer to the authorities to obtain accurate and authentic information.

       International media on Sunday reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps had begun a drone strike operation, targeting locations inside Israeli-occupied territory. - Bernama