Latest news with #Izelan
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Saudi reforms streamline haj experience for Malaysian pilgrims
JEDDAH: Haj management is becoming more advanced as the Saudi Arabian government rolls out reforms to ensure pilgrims have a smooth and meaningful experience in fulfilling Islam's fifth pillar. Eight Malaysian media personnel, invited by the Saudi Media Ministry, experienced the streamlined haj process from their departure at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Saudi Media Ministry facilitator Datuk Izelan Basar said the media team observed improvements made by both the Malaysian and Saudi governments. "We can see how smooth and easy the haj journey has become... There is no confusion, everything is organised neatly. This is all thanks to the facilities provided by the Saudi government, which employs advanced technology... who knows, maybe soon facial recognition and other modern technologies will be used here," he said during a briefing for Malaysian media representatives. The Saudi government has introduced the Saudi Visa Bio app for haj visa applications, requiring four steps: email registration, passport information scan, facial scan and a 10-finger biometric fingerprint scan. The app aims to simplify visa processing and reduce entry delays for pilgrims arriving in Jeddah and Madinah. Malaysia is one of eight countries chosen for the pilot, along with Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Tunisia and Morocco. Malaysia is once again part of the Makkah Route programme, having been the first country to implement it via a 2017 pilot. The programme allows Malaysian pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration and customs at KLIA, eliminating long waits after their eight-hour flight. Izelan warned Malaysian Muslims to avoid falling for scams involving fake haj visas this season. "I want to remind everyone to be careful and not take lightly the promises made by certain parties because haj visas are strictly regulated. The Saudi government has learned from past seasons, during which there were many deaths among pilgrims, so they are now very strict. Don't be fooled... be cautious when buying (Haj) packages to come here," he said. He also noted Saudi Arabia's advanced media facilities, where global media teams gather in centralised, high-tech studios. "Malaysian media representatives visiting here should consider making some changes upon returning. Here, we not only worship but also learn and build networks. Maybe one day Malaysia will have facilities as advanced as Saudi Arabia's. They are far ahead, especially in terms of AI (artificial intelligence) used during the haj season. I believe in the near future the Saudi government will be able to accurately predict the exact number of resources needed—how many buses, what infrastructure to build and provide—for the comfort of future Hajj pilgrims," he said. The eight Malaysian media representatives, including two from Media Prima Berhad's News and Current Affairs (NCA) unit, will be in Makkah until June 12.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Eight Malaysian journalists to perform haj under Saudi Media Ministry initiative
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight Malaysian media personnel have been selected to perform the fifth pillar of Islam – the haj pilgrimage – this year, courtesy of Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry. The ministry's media facilitator, Datuk Izelan Basar, said over 500 media practitioners worldwide, including those from leading news organisations, are invited each year to take part in the pilgrimage and document the world's largest religious gathering. The initiative by the ministry recognises global media professionals who have contributed to intellectual development, innovation, talent cultivation, and the strengthening of bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Islamic nations. The initiative also aims to enhance collaboration between traditional, and new media, while delivering the values, experiences and spiritual significance of the haj to a broader international audience. "This is also an acknowledgement of the media's broad digital presence, ability to disseminate information rapidly, and their role in positively shaping public understanding of the haj," Izelan said. Among those invited is two-time Kajai Award-winning journalist Farrah Naz Karim, who is Media Prima Bhd's News and Current Affairs deputy group managing editor. She is also the New Straits Times group editor. Farrah Naz is expected to be part of a panel at the Global Hajj Symposium to discuss The Future of Faith-Based Reporting: Coverage of Pilgrimages in a Digital Age. The June 1 event is organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Also in the Malaysian media haj delegation are Berita Harian news editor Adha Ghazali, as well as representatives from Bernama TV, TV AlHijrah, and Astro Oasis. The group departed early this morning and is scheduled to return on June 12. While in Jeddah, the delegates will be briefed on Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which has recorded strong progress, with 93 per cent of its key performance indicators achieved since the initiative was launched nine years ago. The delegation is also expected to document features on the pilgrimage, highlighting the scale and behind-the-scenes preparations by Saudi Arabia in welcoming nearly two million pilgrims from more than 183 countries. Riyadh has introduced various initiatives to ensure the highest standard of pilgrim management during the haj season, with a focus on enhancing the pilgrim experience, ensuring safety, and leveraging technology. Key preparations include road infrastructure upgrades, public health measures, and the implementation of digital solutions for crowd management and information access. These include providing a helpline for pilgrims to seek reliable religious support from a select group of some 300 qualified scholars and professional translators. The Saudi government has also taken preventive measures against extreme heat, including planting more trees, expanding shaded walkways, and installing water stations and mist fans.
