25-04-2025
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.
