TH receives 85,000 appeals from depositors for 2025 haj season
ALOR STAR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has received 85,000 appeals from its depositors to perform the haj pilgrimage this year, almost triple the 31,600 quota approved by Saudi Arabia for Malaysia for the 1446H/2025 haj season.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would consider Malaysia's request for an additional 10,000 places.
"We submitted the official request to the Saudi Arabian government last month.
"Last night, I sent a text message to my counterpart, Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, to check on the status of our appeal.
"I believe the Saudi Arabian government will give due consideration to our request," he told reporters after presenting food baskets to 100 underprivileged families in Kuala Sungai.
The programme was organised by the Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Youth Council, in cooperation with Yayasan Taqwa under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).
On Monday, TH's chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman said the board had submitted the request for an additional 10,000 haj quota to Saudi Arabia through the government.
He was reported as saying that the first flight to the Holy Land is scheduled for April 29, with the final departure on May 30.
Meanwhile, Na'im said that those who had filed appeals would be considered if depositors who had been offered places to perform the pilgrimage this year were unable to proceed due to various reasons, such as health issues.
During his working visit to Kedah today, Na'im also said he would be handing over two houses to underprivileged families in Baling under Yayasan Taqwa's Bait Al-Falah project, followed by the presentation of aid to 110 recipients in the district.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Safari wukuf to assist 80 ill Malaysian pilgrims to perform wukuf
MAKKAH: A total of 80 Malaysian haj pilgrims, who are ill or have health complications, will be taken to perform the wukuf worship at the Plain of Arafah tomorrow, under the Safari Wukuf programme. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that eight special buses, with seats converted into beds, will be used to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims throughout the journey to Arafah. 'A total of 195 welfare and medical workers have been mobilised since midnight last night, to comfort and assist the pilgrims once they arrive at Arafah,' he told media personnel after witnessing the departure of the haj pilgrims to Arafah, here, today. At the same time, Mohd Na'im said that 385 Sahabat Maktab, who are volunteers among the pilgrims from 11 maktabs, have also been mobilised to support and ensure the smooth execution of this year's Masya'ir operations. 'I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all Lembaga Tabung Haji staff and Sahabat Maktab volunteers, for their unwavering commitment in safeguarding the welfare and safety of our pilgrims,' he said. He also urged all Malaysians to pray for the smooth execution of the entire Masya'ir operation, and for the continued protection and success of all Malaysian pilgrims in performing their haj pilgrimage. The Saudi Arabian government has announced that the Wukuf Day falls on Thursday, the 9th day of Zulhijjah (June 5), followed by the celebration of Aidiladha on Friday, June 6.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Haj pilgrims head to Arafah as temperatures hit 40 degrees Celcius
MAKKAH: Nearly two million Muslims began moving towards Arafah today to start their haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, as temperatures soared to a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius. Their journey began in stages this morning, with the pilgrims set to perform wukuf in Arafah tomorrow (9 Zulhijjah), from zuhur (midday) until subuh (dawn) on the night of Aidiladha. The haj rituals will continue in the sacred areas of Muzdalifah and Mina, where pilgrims will spend the night (mabit) and perform the symbolic stoning of the three jamrah pillars from tomorrow until June 8 (12 Zulhijjah). With temperatures forecast to reach between 40 and 45 degrees Celcius over the next few days, the haj authorities have reminded pilgrims to prepare themselves mentally, physically and spiritually for the intense conditions during the pilgrimage. According to Malaysian pilgrim Ahmad Sobirin Suhaizad, 25, he and his family are scheduled to leave for Arafah after zuhur on buses provided by Tabung Haji (TH). "I was informed that we will depart after zuhur for Arafah. As of right now, we're still waiting for our turn as the movement is being done in stages. "We're not too worried about the transport, as everything is well arranged. Our only concern is the heat. Please pray that our journey goes smoothly," he said when contacted. Ahmad Sobirin, who is travelling with his mother Zuraidah Mohamed Anwar, 58, and sister Nurul Izzah Suhaizad, 22, is among the 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims registered under TH for the 1446H/2025 haj season. In anticipation of the extreme weather, the Saudi Arabian government has prohibited pilgrims from walking from Makkah to Arafah. Authorities said the decision was made after forecasts showed temperatures could soar up to 45 degrees celcius, posing a serious risk of heat exhaustion. The Saudi Transport and Logistic Services Ministry is closely monitoring the number of vehicles needed for haj, with readiness to increase the fleet beyond the 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis currently allocated. The Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Ministry has also ramped up facilities for pilgrims, including additional air-conditioned areas. In another effort to reduce heat exposure, Saudi Arabia has expanded the use of cooled walkways and rubber-paved roads. These measures, first introduced in 2023, are aimed at lowering surface temperatures and improving walking comfort during long journeys between the holy sites. This year, the area covered by the cooling system in Arafah has been increased by 82 per cent, now spanning more than 84,000 square metres.
Malaysian Reserve
10 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysian haj pilgrims begin staged movement to Arafah for wukuf
MAKKAH — A total of 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims, among the 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performing haj this year, began moving to Arafah in stages, since 7.31 am today, to perform the wukuf worship, the pinnacle of haj pilgrimage, tomorrow (June 5). Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that strict security measures enforced by the Saudi Arabian authorities, including inspections at several checkpoints, could result in some delays in the pilgrims' journey to Arafah for the wukuf worship. 'These security protocols are meant to ensure that only individuals with valid permits are allowed into the Arafah area. The Saudi authorities are very firm on this matter, to guarantee the safety and smooth movement of all pilgrims,' he told reporters, after witnessing the departure of Malaysian pilgrims to Arafah earlier today. He added that Malaysian haj pilgrims are now comfortably on board the buses provided, and he encouraged them to make the most of the journey by reciting the talbiyah and engaging in continuous prayer. 'We know that the prayers of those who are travelling are highly effective. So, I urge all pilgrims to remain focused on worship and to prepare themselves, mentally and spiritually, for the Day of Arafah,' he said. Between 20 and 31 buses have been allocated for each maktab to transport pilgrims from seven hotels to Arafah, located approximately 20 kilometres from Makkah, in three stages. The movement of Malaysian pilgrims to the Arafah plain for the wukuf worship tomorrow will be carried out in three main rounds, using the shuttle bus service. 'The three rounds of pilgrim movement are scheduled as follows: the first trip at 7.31 am, the second at 9 am, and the third at noon,' he said. Mohd Na'im said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), together with the Al Masyair (Masyariq) company, expects the entire pilgrim movement operation to be fully completed within six to eight hours. The Saudi Arabian government has announced that the Wukuf Day falls on Thursday, the 9th day of Zulhijjah (June 5), followed by the celebration of Aidiladha on Friday, June 6. — BERNAMA
