4 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.
