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The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
Two more Malaysian haj pilgrims die, total now at 7, says Religious Affairs Minister
MECCA: There have been two more deaths among Malaysian haj pilgrims, bringing the total of deaths to seven on Wednesday (June 4), says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said that the two pilgrims - Siti Hawa Ibrahim, 64, from Terengganu and Abdul Hakim Awang, 76, from Kedah - passed away after being warded at Saudi Arabia hospitals. "Siti Hawa passed away due to a heart attack while Abdul Hakim died from a lung infection. Tabung Haji will do the necessary to assist their next of kin and arrange their haj affairs," said Mohd Na'im. Earlier, Mohd Na'im met Malaysian pilgrims who were leaving for the plains of Mount Arafat to perform their Wukuf on the Day of Arafat. Performing Wukuf on the Day of Arafat is a key ritual of the haj. This year, the Day of Arafat falls on Thursday (June 5). About 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims would join about 2 million other pilgrims to gather on the plains of Mount Arafat and spend the day supplicating and praying. "The movement of Malaysian haj pilgrims began at 6:30am, according to the schedule set by Al Masiah (Masyarik) and Tabung Haji. Pilgrims moved in stages, to ensure an orderly and comfortable journey. "The distance from Makkah to Arafat is 20km and takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Tabung Haji and Saudi company Al Masiah estimate that the entire operation of transporting pilgrims to Arafah will take between six to eight hours. "A total of 80 ill and elderly haj pilgrims will perform the wukuf ritual at the plains of Arafat through the 'Safari Wukuf' programme starting tomorrow. "Eight specially modified buses, with seats converted into bed-like arrangements, will be used to transport these pilgrims," said Mohd Na'im. The Saudi government has issued a lockdown on pilgrims on the Day of Arafat between 10am and 4pm due to the extreme hot weather to avoid heatstroke and deaths. Pilgrims are told to stay in their tents and not walk to any holy sites during the midday. The temperatures have risen above 47°C in the past few days and are expected to go beyond 50°C.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Tabung Haji warns pilgrims to avoid open areas as to 50°C Mecca temperatures force major changes to routine
MECCA, May 25 — Malaysian pilgrims are advised to remain inside their tents and avoid direct exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, due to the extreme heat, which is expected to reach up to 50 degrees Celsius. Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji -TH) Head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation (KRH) Mohd Hisham Harun said this in line with the directives issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah which recommended the implementation of a lockdown (restriction) of pilgrims' movements in the Arafah and Mina areas during peak heat hours as a preventive measure against the risk of heat stroke. 'We received the instructions through the WhatsApp group of heads of haj delegations nationwide and also during my meeting with the Deputy Minister of International Relations, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, Dr Hassan Yahya Al-Manakhrah. 'He emphasised that full cooperation be given to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, and the local operator, Masyarik, to ensure pilgrims remain in their tents and do not go out during the scorching hot weather,' he said when met by the media after the Haj Officers' Gathering with KRH at the TH Headquarters here yesterday. He said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also recommended that pilgrims remain in their respective tents during the wukuf day and not go out to open areas, including the Namirah Mosque, to listen to the Arafah sermon. 'As an alternative measure, the Saudi Arabian authorities have requested that large screens be provided at the tent area for pilgrims to watch the live broadcast of the Arafah sermon,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohd Hisham also called on all haj officials to be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to face the peak of the haj operations, especially during the movement of pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina soon. 'TH's main focus is to ensure that all Malaysian pilgrims can perform their wukuf at Arafah. For pilgrims who are undergoing treatment, we will implement the 'safari wukuf' method, which is to take them on a bus to Arafah and the bus will stop there for at least one to two hours before returning to the treatment centre,' he said. He also reminded the officers to take care of their health and work together as a team to ensure the welfare and smoothness of the haj pilgrimage by Malaysian pilgrims. 'We pray that all the planning and implementation for the haj will go smoothly and that officers will play an important role in ensuring that pilgrims can perform their worship perfectly, Insya Allah,' he said. — Bernama
