Madinah, June 7 -- Indonesia said nearly 17,000 regular Hajj pilgrims would stay in four-star and five-star hotels in Medina, marking the first time such accommodation has been provided under the regular pilgrimage scheme.

"For the first time in our Hajj management history, around 17,000 regular pilgrims have access to four-star and five-star hotels," Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said.

Simanjuntak made the remarks after inspecting facilities at the Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel in Medina on Saturday ahead of the second arrival phase.

He said a total of 16,904 Indonesian pilgrims under the regular scheme would begin arriving in Medina on Sunday.

According to Simanjuntak, the government has prepared accommodati...