Latest news with #Masyair


New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
TH to study proposal to extend pilgrims' stay in Madinah by two days
KUALA LUMPUR: The duration of Malaysian haj pilgrims' stay in Madinah, which had been reduced from eight days to six, was due to rising accommodation costs. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said maintaining the eight-day stay would incur substantial expenses for Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). "However, TH remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of haj pilgrims. As such, TH will conduct a detailed study on the proposal to extend the pilgrims' stay in Madinah to eight days," he said in response to Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun). Ghani had inquired about the duration of the stay in Madinah, which has been reduced from eight days to six. He said that previously, pilgrims were allowed to stay for eight days in Madinah, allowing them to perform forty consecutive prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah), which stems from a hadith. Meanwhile, for the 1446H haj season, Na'im said TH had taken proactive steps to ensure the comfort of Malaysian pilgrims, including providing bus transportation facilities in the Holy Land to ease movement and allow pilgrims to perform their religious duties more comfortably. He said the transportation services are part of TH's continuous efforts to deliver the best possible service to Malaysian haj pilgrims. "The transport services cover long-distance movements such as from the airport to pilgrims' accommodation, domestic travel between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah, as well as movements from accommodations to key ritual sites (Masyair), including Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina. "To facilitate access to Masjidil Haram, TH ensures that all rented accommodations are located within one kilometre of the mosque compound," he said. He added that the close proximity allows pilgrims to walk easily to the mosque. "However, pilgrims also have the option of using taxi services or public buses, which are readily available near their accommodation. "The location of Malaysian pilgrims' accommodation is also significantly closer to Masjidil Haram compared to pilgrims from other countries, whose lodgings are located more than five kilometres away from the mosque," he said.


The Sun
14-06-2025
- The Sun
First group of haj pilgrims return home as second phase of operations begins
SEPANG: The first group of Malaysian haj pilgrims arrived safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 8.50 pm tonight, marking the start of the second phase of repatriation operations for the 1446H/2025M pilgrimage season. The group of 283 pilgrims, mainly from Kedah and Selangor, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah aboard Malaysia Airlines' AMAL flight MH8251 at 5.40 am local time. Their arrival was welcomed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, alongside Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mustakim Mohamad. 'Alhamdulillah, this year's haj operations have gone smoothly and we are now beginning to bring the pilgrims home safely,' said Mohd Na'im. He also congratulated TH for receiving the prestigious Labaytum Diamond Award, recognising the agency's efforts to enhance service quality and haj management internationally. Among the key successes this year, Mohd Na'im noted, was the safe completion of wuquf, the pivotal standing at Arafah, by all Malaysian pilgrims, including 95 ailing pilgrims who were transported in 10 specially arranged buses under the Safari Wuquf programme. Meanwhile, Mustakim said that despite ongoing challenges such as extreme heat and limited tent space in Mina, TH continues to implement improvements aimed at enhancing pilgrims' comfort and safety. These included adding extra toilet facilities and storage space during the critical Masyair phase of the haj. A total of 100 chartered flights operated by AMAL and Saudia Airlines are scheduled to repatriate the entire Malaysian contingent of 31,600 pilgrims, with flights beginning today and concluding on Thursday, July 10.


The Sun
14-06-2025
- The Sun
First group of haj pilgrims return home
SEPANG: The first group of Malaysian haj pilgrims arrived safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 8.50 pm tonight, marking the start of the second phase of repatriation operations for the 1446H/2025M pilgrimage season. The group of 283 pilgrims, mainly from Kedah and Selangor, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah aboard Malaysia Airlines' AMAL flight MH8251 at 5.40 am local time. Their arrival was welcomed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, alongside Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mustakim Mohamad. 'Alhamdulillah, this year's haj operations have gone smoothly and we are now beginning to bring the pilgrims home safely,' said Mohd Na'im. He also congratulated TH for receiving the prestigious Labaytum Diamond Award, recognising the agency's efforts to enhance service quality and haj management internationally. Among the key successes this year, Mohd Na'im noted, was the safe completion of wuquf, the pivotal standing at Arafah, by all Malaysian pilgrims, including 95 ailing pilgrims who were transported in 10 specially arranged buses under the Safari Wuquf programme. Meanwhile, Mustakim said that despite ongoing challenges such as extreme heat and limited tent space in Mina, TH continues to implement improvements aimed at enhancing pilgrims' comfort and safety. These included adding extra toilet facilities and storage space during the critical Masyair phase of the haj. A total of 100 chartered flights operated by AMAL and Saudia Airlines are scheduled to repatriate the entire Malaysian contingent of 31,600 pilgrims, with flights beginning today and concluding on Thursday, July 10.

Barnama
14-06-2025
- Barnama
First Group Of Haj Pilgrims Return Home As Second Phase Of Operations Begins
SEPANG, June 14 (Bernama) -- The first group of Malaysian haj pilgrims arrived safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 8.50 pm tonight, marking the start of the second phase of repatriation operations for the 1446H/2025M pilgrimage season. The group of 283 pilgrims, mainly from Kedah and Selangor, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah aboard Malaysia Airlines' AMAL flight MH8251 at 5.40 am local time. Their arrival was welcomed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, alongside Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mustakim Mohamad. 'Alhamdulillah, this year's haj operations have gone smoothly and we are now beginning to bring the pilgrims home safely,' said Mohd Na'im. He also congratulated TH for receiving the prestigious Labaytum Diamond Award, recognising the agency's efforts to enhance service quality and haj management internationally. Among the key successes this year, Mohd Na'im noted, was the safe completion of wuquf, the pivotal standing at Arafah, by all Malaysian pilgrims, including 95 ailing pilgrims who were transported in 10 specially arranged buses under the Safari Wuquf programme. Meanwhile, Mustakim said that despite ongoing challenges such as extreme heat and limited tent space in Mina, TH continues to implement improvements aimed at enhancing pilgrims' comfort and safety. These included adding extra toilet facilities and storage space during the critical Masyair phase of the haj. A total of 100 chartered flights operated by AMAL and Saudia Airlines are scheduled to repatriate the entire Malaysian contingent of 31,600 pilgrims, with flights beginning today and concluding on Thursday, July 10.


The Sun
14-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tabung Haji honours 385 Sahabat Maktab volunteers
MAKKAH: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has extended its appreciation to the 385 Sahabat Maktab volunteers, for their dedicated service in assisting 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims, during the 1446H/2025M haj season. Comprising Malaysian pilgrims from seven residential buildings or maktabs, the volunteers were honoured at a ceremony held at TH's headquarters at the Abraj Janadriyah Hotel, here, today. Head of the Haj Delegation Mohd Hisham Harun, said that TH deeply appreciated the contributions of the Sahabat Maktab volunteers, who came from diverse backgrounds, in supporting the work of approximately 632 TH personnel to ensure the smooth implementation of haj operations for Malaysian pilgrims, especially during the critical Masyair phase. 'The service and dedication shown by Sahabat Maktab volunteers are deeply meaningful to Tabung Haji, as they are closer to the pilgrims and better understand their needs and aspirations. 'Today, we honour and appreciate their sacrifices. TH is truly proud and thankful for their sincere contributions throughout this haj season,' he told reporters, here, today. Established in 2006, the Sahabat Maktab is divided into three categories - Sahabat Ibadat TH, Sahabat Medik TH, and Sahabat TH - and provides a platform for skilled pilgrims to assist fellow Malaysians, in need of support during haj pilgrimage season.