Making it easy to worship
Around 31,600 Malaysians from all states and from all walks of life were flown to Saudi Arabia for their Haj by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights. — Bernama
MORE than two million Muslims gathered in Mecca this year for the Haj pilgrimage even as temperatures soared to 47°C.
Of that number, 31,600 were Malaysians, coming from all states and from all walks of life, and ranging in age from 16 to 83 years old; they were all flown in by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights.
Tabung Haji's Department of Haj head Hisham Harun said that this year, 632 personnel involved came from a cross-section of sectors, including hostels and zones management, healthcare, religious guidance for Haj and visits, finance, media, transportation, catering, baggage handling, customer service, and more.
'This is to cater to all the needs of the Malaysian pilgrims – from their lodgings to 42 menus of Malaysian food,' said Hisham, who was completely hands-on and on the ground assisting pilgrims throughout the Haj period.
This year marked the strictest Haj by Saudi Arabia authorities – only the season during the Covid-19 lockdown was stricter – as the guardian of the Holy Land attempted to make this the safest Haj ever, with the lowest number of deaths.
Following the tagline 'No Haj without Nusuk' – referring to the official digital platform that manages pilgrimages; 'nusuk' means permit in Arabic – security officials scanned the QR codes of everyone's big square tag at all checkpoints throughout Mecca and various entrances to the Grand Holy Mosque.
Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar stressed that such rules were made to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority.
Mohd Na'im giving his Khutbah Arafah to Malaysian pilgrims. He says that strict rules have been implemented to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority. — Bernama
Saudi authorities also ordered a lockdown at midday during the pinnacle period of Day of Arafah to avoid deaths – every year, this is the day most deaths occur as the elderly and vulnerable attempt to walk in the midday sun to the various holy sites.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Haj — the world sees the crowds, but misses the story
EACH year, millions of Muslims descend on Makkah for the haj pilgrimage. The visuals are familiar by now — vast crowds circling the Kaabah, white garments rippling through the desert heat, drone footage of a sea of humanity moving in harmony. But what's often missing from international coverage is the staggering human effort behind those images — the work that makes it all possible. The haj is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world and also one of the most logistically complex. Pilgrims from more than 180 countries converge in a narrow window of time, many of them elderly or from fragile, conflict-torn regions. They come for a deeply spiritual purpose, but they enter a system that must accommodate millions safely, respectfully and with dignity. Saudi Arabia has long taken on this responsibility, treating the management of the haj not as a seasonal obligation but as a sacred trust. Yet, despite the scale and precision of this effort, global media often treats it as a backdrop, rarely pausing to examine what it actually takes to make the pilgrimage possible. Managing the haj is not just about crowd control or transport logistics, though both are crucial. It's about thousands of volunteers helping people find their way. It's about doctors treating heat exhaustion in makeshift clinics, and public workers cleaning the holiest sites in the middle of the night before the next wave of worshippers arrives." These are not minor details. They are the difference between hardship and hospitality. For many pilgrims, this is the most important journey of their lives. They arrive after years of saving, praying and waiting — often at great personal sacrifice. Their experience is often one of safety and care and is not incidental. It results from deliberate, large-scale planning that often goes unnoticed outside the Islamic world. There's an emotional dimension to the haj that rarely makes headlines. Pilgrims travel from war zones, refugee camps and remote villages. They come in wheelchairs, with elderly parents, carrying the memory of loved ones who didn't live to make the journey. "In an increasingly divided world, the haj stands out as one of the few times humanity gathers — not in opposition, but in unity." That reality is easy to miss if reporting sticks to numbers, crowd scenes or political analysis. What's lost is the story of people — their resilience, faith and the unseen hands serving them. Saudi Arabia's role in facilitating the haj is not without complexity. No operation of this size is perfect, and there is always room for dialogue and improvement. But what's striking is how rarely international coverage acknowledges the depth of effort involved — or the spirit behind it. Too often, coverage focuses on the spectacle without looking at the system. It documents the rituals but not the relationships. It sees the scale but not the service. This isn't a call for praise or publicity. It's a call for perspective — a reminder that the haj is not just a logistical feat, but a human one. And in a time when division and cynicism dominate much of global discourse, the idea that millions can gather peacefully, purposefully and be cared for with humility and generosity is a story worth telling. If we see only the crowd, we miss the humanity. Behind every pilgrim is a story — a journey of faith, of sacrifice, of hope fulfilled. And behind each of those journeys stands a vast, often invisible effort of care, coordination and quiet service. To overlook that is to overlook not just the scale of what happens during the haj, but the spirit that makes it possible. In a divided world, this annual gathering remains one of the few moments where humanity moves together — not in protest, not in fear, but in peace. That alone deserves a closer look.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Traditional Kedah dish takes top prize at Genting Culinary Classic competition
PAHANG: A traditional Kedah dish has claimed the top prize at the Genting Culinary Classic 2025 competition today. Out of 20 finalists, Budiman Bistari Mohamed from Batu Kurau, Perak, emerged as the grand national winner with his signature dish, ayam golek with buah kulim, served alongside nasi lemuni, herb salad, and fried eggplant with wild petai (stink beans). The 50-year-old executive sous chef at Le Méridien expressed his delight at being able to showcase local ingredients on a national platform. "I'm extremely happy to have brought Malay food to this stage, all the way from Kedah. "Many of the ingredients I used today are unfamiliar to the younger generation, but we have a rich catalogue of herbs that we should be proud of and share with the world," he said. Budiman said that he had practised the recipe extensively at home, with the help of his mother and grandmother, whose support was instrumental in perfecting the dish. "The preparation wasn't too difficult because they were with me throughout the process, even enduring the long hours. "If I didn't know something, I'd ask them, and they'd guide me patiently," he said. With over 30 years of culinary experience, Budiman hopes to integrate traditional home-cooked dishes into hotel cuisine and prove that Malaysian heritage food deserves a place in modern dining. As the grand national winner, Budiman received a cash prize of RM20,000, in-kind prizes worth RM5,000, and the opportunity to showcase his winning dish at Resorts World Genting's food and beverage outlets. The Genting Culinary Classic 2025, a nationwide culinary competition, was launched as part of Resorts World Genting's 60th anniversary celebrations. It was organised in collaboration with the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (Hapa) Group Sdn Bhd and in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. After a rigorous selection process involving more than 120 aspiring cooks from across the country, 20 finalists were chosen to compete on June 10 and 11 at the Genting International Showroom (GISR). Open to chefs and cooking enthusiasts aged 18 and above from all culinary backgrounds, the competition celebrates Malaysia's diverse food heritage. This year's judging panel featured renowned culinary figures, including celebrity chef Martin Yan and MasterChef Malaysia judge Mohd Johri Edrus, who offered valuable insights and feedback during the judging process. "All the contestants put their heart and soul into their dishes, whether they were professional chefs or passionate home cooks. "There are still many people around the world who aren't familiar with Malaysian food, and competitions like this can help introduce it to a global audience," said chef Yan. Riding on the success of this year's event, the Genting Culinary Classic is set to return for its second edition in 2026, continuing its mission to spotlight culinary excellence in Malaysia.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Louis Koo visits Penang for the first time, promises to return in the future
Hong Kong actor Louis Koo drew a large crowd during his recent visit to Penang. Photos: Louis Koo/Weibo Renowned Hong Kong actor Louis Koo recently made his first trip to Penang to promote his latest film Behind The Shadows , and it didn't take long for the state to win him over. In a Weibo post on Tuesday (June 10), Koo, 54, shared his excitement about the trip, praising the warm hospitality of the locals and raving about the delicious prawn noodles he tried. 'Although it's my first time in Penang, I've already fallen in love. The human touch and yummy prawn noodles here are unforgettable to me,' he wrote in the captions. Koo's post featured three photos – including one capturing the crowded mall where the promotional event was held, with every floor filled with eager fans. The actor said this wouldn't be his last visit to the state, adding that he would gladly return if the opportunity arises. 'I hope to return soon. Next time, I'll have more time to take pictures with you,' he wrote. Many Malaysian fans have since left comments hoping for Koo's return, while others eagerly offered food recommendations for his next visit. 'Thank you for your hard work, and welcome to Penang!' one fan commented. Another added: 'There are many delicious cuisines in Penang. I hope I'll have the opportunity to meet you when you come here next time.'
