Mawlwai Abdul Kabir, the PM's political deputy, said that the Islamic Emirate wants good relations with the international community, especially with Islamic countries.

During a ceremony at Kabul airport marking the beginning of travel for the Hajj from Kabul to Saudi Arabia, Mawlwai Abdul Kabir urged those who had fled the country following the recent political change to return.

"The Islamic Emirate seeks good, friendly, and brotherly ties with all countries and Muslims across the world. To the Islamic countries, we have a positive and brotherly message,” the PM's political deputy said.

At the ceremony, the prime minister's political deputy did not name a country, but did say that some countries are problematic for the Islamic Emirate.

Second deputy PM, Abdul Salam Hanafi, stated during the ceremony that more than 13,000 Afghans will attend the Hajj this year.

"God willing, thirteen thousand five hundred and eighty-two people will attend Baitullah Sharif from the center, and the zones and provinces will perform the Hajj of Baitullah Sharif," stated Abdul Salam Hanafi, the second deputy prime minister.

"We have had an education program for those who visit Hajj and we have it now too and we have sent teachers again. Remember that the ministry has appointed one teacher for every 45-member group,” said Noor Mohammad Saqib, acting head of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs.

On Sunday the first group of Afghans will depart Kabul for Saudi Arabia.

"We had been dreaming about Hajj for the last two years, even though it was so expensive, but we are grateful that the route to God's home has been reopened," said one of the participants, Mohammad Sharif.

"They made it easy for us; we are very happy, and now we are headed to God's house," Babrak, a Hajj participant, said.

After the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, Afghan pilgrims are making their first trip to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

Due to Covid, Hajj ceremonies were banned for the past two years.