REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MECCA -- The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has enthusiastically welcomed Indonesian pilgrims from the first flying group JKG who arrived in Madinah on July 17. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Agus Maftuh Abegebriel, said that the Royal Government was so enthusiastic in welcoming the guests of Allah from Indonesia that they held four welcome ceremonies.

The Indonesian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia through Madinah's Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz International Airport.

"The first (welcome ceremony) was held when the pilgrims were entering the airport terminal, the second when they were in inside the airport terminal where each of them received souvenirs and flowers, the third when the pilgrims were exiting the airport terminal, and the fourth when they were on the buses, before they left for their hotels," the Ambassador said in a statement received by Antara here on Friday.

He explained that at the third welcome reception, the Indonesian pilgrims were greeted with a shalawat, a special salutation upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), by famous singer Maher Zain, as well as a traditional Islamic poem titled "thala'al badru 'alaina."