Haj officer wraps up 40 years' managing pilgrims

The Star

9 hours ago

Serving as haj personnel is far more than just a routine assignment as it demands dedication, patience and sincerity to serve the millions who gather in the Holy Land each season.
Tabung Haji (TH) field services manager Mohamad Zamry Mohd Noor, 60, had taken part in over 30 haj operations ­through­out his service.
'Whenever pilgrims are preparing to return home, I board the bus and deliver a short speech on behalf of all TH staff to thank them for their cooperation, apologise for any shortcomings and offer a shared prayer.
'It may sound like a simple farewell, but I truly believe those words carry powerful, sincere meaning,' he told Bernama.
For Mohamad Zamry, the true measure of haj officers' success lies in how sincerely and compassionately they care for the pilgrims.
'We must be honest, trustworthy and approachable.
'When we serve the pilgrims with genuine sincerity, they pray for us, often without us even realising.
'I believe those prayers are what have brought me back to the Holy Land year after year,' he said.
During the haj season last year, Mohamad Zamry served as Masyair operations director overseeing the critical phases when pilgrims performed rituals in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina.
Over the years, Mohamad Zamry has experienced many unforgettable events.
Among them were the tragic Mina tunnel incident in 1990, the Mina tent fire in 1997 and the crane collapse at Masjidil Haram in 2015, all of which he experienced first-hand.
'I still remember my first posting when I was only 20.
'I didn't speak Arabic then, but armed with determination and the eagerness to learn, I eventually mastered the Meccan dialect and gained a deep understanding of Arab culture.
'That has helped me tremendously in managing pilgrims effectively,' he said.
This year's haj marked the end to Mohamad Zamry's more than four decades of service with TH.
He hopes the next generation of officers will execute their duties with dedication, strengthening the bond with pilgrims to ensure smooth and meaningful pilgrimages.