Latest news with #MinistryofHajandUmrah
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Haj pilgrims barred from walking, leaving tents due to heatwave
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on haj pilgrims walking from Makkah to Arafah or remaining outside their tents during the masyair phase of the 1446H/2025 haj season, citing concerns over extreme heat. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, comes amid forecasts of dangerously high temperatures expected during the pilgrimage's busiest days. Pilgrims have also been advised against visiting popular religious sites such as Namirah Mosque and Jabal Rahmah between 10 am and 4 pm, typically the hottest hours of the day, due to the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said as an alternative, the Saudi government will enhance the transport system to ensure safe and smooth movement between key pilgrimage sites. He was speaking to the Malaysian media after a meeting with Saudi Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, at the Grand Haj Symposium here today. The masyair phase is considered the peak phase of haj. It involves the movement of millions of pilgrims over five days from Makkah to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, from the 8th to the 12th of Zulhijjah. Mohd Na'im said the new restrictions were designed to safeguard pilgrims' wellbeing, especially during the crucial wukuf ritual at Arafah, when pilgrims gather outdoors in prayer and reflection. Saudi officials have urged haj authorities from across the Muslim world to remind pilgrims to limit their exposure to direct sunlight during this period. They have also reinforced regulations surrounding the mandatory use of the Nusuk card, which functions as both an identity verification tool and a security pass. Entry to Masjidil Haram, Arafah, Muzdalifah or Mina will be strictly limited to cardholders. 'So far, no Malaysian pilgrims have been found in the Holy Land without valid permits,' said Mohd Na'im, noting that the high compliance rate reflects the success of joint enforcement and screening efforts by Saudi authorities. He added that pilgrims found attempting to perform haj without official approval will face firm action from Saudi authorities.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Haj pilgrims banned from walking, leaving tents during masyair due to extreme heat
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on haj pilgrims walking from Makkah to Arafah or remaining outside their tents during the masyair phase of the 1446H/2025 haj season, citing concerns over extreme heat. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, comes amid forecasts of dangerously high temperatures expected during the pilgrimage's busiest days. Pilgrims have also been advised against visiting popular religious sites such as Namirah Mosque and Jabal Rahmah between 10 am and 4 pm, typically the hottest hours of the day, due to the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said as an alternative, the Saudi government will enhance the transport system to ensure safe and smooth movement between key pilgrimage sites. He was speaking to the Malaysian media after a meeting with Saudi Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, at the Grand Haj Symposium here today. The masyair phase is considered the peak phase of haj. It involves the movement of millions of pilgrims over five days from Makkah to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, from the 8th to the 12th of Zulhijjah. Mohd Na'im said the new restrictions were designed to safeguard pilgrims' wellbeing, especially during the crucial wukuf ritual at Arafah, when pilgrims gather outdoors in prayer and reflection. Saudi officials have urged haj authorities from across the Muslim world to remind pilgrims to limit their exposure to direct sunlight during this period. They have also reinforced regulations surrounding the mandatory use of the Nusuk card, which functions as both an identity verification tool and a security pass. Entry to Masjidil Haram, Arafah, Muzdalifah or Mina will be strictly limited to cardholders. 'So far, no Malaysian pilgrims have been found in the Holy Land without valid permits,' said Mohd Na'im, noting that the high compliance rate reflects the success of joint enforcement and screening efforts by Saudi authorities. He added that pilgrims found attempting to perform haj without official approval will face firm action from Saudi authorities.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Malaysian haj pilgrims advised to stay indoors as Arafah, Mina face 50°C heat
MAKKAH: Malaysian pilgrims are advised to remain inside their tents and avoid direct exposure to sunlight, especially between 10am and 4pm, due to the extreme heat, which is expected to reach up to 50 degrees Celsius. Tabung Haji's Malaysian haj delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun said this in line with the directives issued by the Saudi Arabian Haj and Umrah Ministry 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 Haj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, Dr Hassan Yahya Al-Manakhrah. "He emphasised that full cooperation be given to the Ministry of Haj 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 the Malaysian haj delegation head at the Tabung Haji headquarters here yesterday. He said the Saudi Ministry of Haj 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. "Tabung Haji'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
Malay Mail
29-04-2025
- Malay Mail
Enhanced Nusuk Card to safeguard Malaysian pilgrims from forgery as Haj journey begins, says religious affairs minister
SEPANG, April 29 — The enhanced Nusuk Card is now equipped with a quick response (QR) code to prevent forgery of the official identification card for haj pilgrims, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He said the card now has several layers of security features to ensure the safety of its holders. 'This means that any attempt to duplicate it would be difficult as it comes with multiple enhanced security layers introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah,' he told reporters after attending the Send-off Ceremony for Malaysian Haj Pilgrims for the 1446H/2025M Haj Season here today. Also present was Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain. Mohd Na'im said the Nusuk Card, introduced three years ago as the official identification document for pilgrims, has helped ease the entry of haj pilgrims from across the globe into the Masjidil Haram in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and other pilgrimage sites while performing the fifth pillar of Islam. Earlier, Mohd Na'im reminded the 284 Malaysian pilgrims who departed for the Holy Land early this morning to safeguard their Nusuk Cards at all times, as the card contains personal data, including passport and visa information, enabling easy identification of the pilgrims. 'You must take good care of the Nusuk Card since it's similar to our MyKad. Remember my advice, treat it just like you would your MyKad,' he said. On flight arrangements for the 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for this haj season, Mohd Na'im said a total of 100 special chartered flights via AMAL by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines have been scheduled starting today, with the final flight set for June 1. 'The first group of Malaysian pilgrims is expected to arrive at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at 7.50 am (Saudi time) tomorrow,' he added. Malaysia's official haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government this year is 31,600 pilgrims, who will arrive in the Holy Land in stages. — Bernama
Malay Mail
29-04-2025
- Malay Mail
Enhanced Nusuk Card to safeguard Malaysian haj pilgrims from forgery as Haj journey begins, says religious affairs minister
SEPANG, April 29 — The enhanced Nusuk Card is now equipped with a quick response (QR) code to prevent forgery of the official identification card for haj pilgrims, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He said the card now has several layers of security features to ensure the safety of its holders. 'This means that any attempt to duplicate it would be difficult as it comes with multiple enhanced security layers introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah,' he told reporters after attending the Send-off Ceremony for Malaysian Haj Pilgrims for the 1446H/2025M Haj Season here today. Also present was Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain. Mohd Na'im said the Nusuk Card, introduced three years ago as the official identification document for pilgrims, has helped ease the entry of haj pilgrims from across the globe into the Masjidil Haram in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and other pilgrimage sites while performing the fifth pillar of Islam. Earlier, Mohd Na'im reminded the 284 Malaysian pilgrims who departed for the Holy Land early this morning to safeguard their Nusuk Cards at all times, as the card contains personal data, including passport and visa information, enabling easy identification of the pilgrims. 'You must take good care of the Nusuk Card since it's similar to our MyKad. Remember my advice, treat it just like you would your MyKad,' he said. On flight arrangements for the 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for this haj season, Mohd Na'im said a total of 100 special chartered flights via AMAL by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines have been scheduled starting today, with the final flight set for June 1. 'The first group of Malaysian pilgrims is expected to arrive at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at 7.50 am (Saudi time) tomorrow,' he added. Malaysia's official haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government this year is 31,600 pilgrims, who will arrive in the Holy Land in stages. — Bernama
