Latest news with #PilgrimsFundBoard
The Sun
12 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
TH ensures visually impaired pilgrims won't be left
MAKKAH: The Pilgrims Fund Board or Tabung Haji (TH) has pledged that the needs of visually impaired pilgrims will be fully supported during this year's haj, with special attention given to enabling their participation in the key rite of wukuf in Arafah. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said 11 pilgrims with visual impairments are currently in the Holy Land for the annual pilgrimage and will be accompanied by trained support personnel to ensure they can complete the pilgrimage. 'TH staff, including sahabat maktab (pilgrim companions), are fully prepared to prioritise the needs of disabled pilgrims. This is about ensuring they too can achieve haji mabrur (a fulfilling and accepted haj),' he told reporters after a meet-and-greet event with Malaysian pilgrims here today. In a step towards greater inclusion, the minister also launched a Braille version of the Haj and Umrah guidebook, a collaboration between TH, the Ibn Ummi Maktum Research Centre (UMMI) of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and the Malaysian Islamic Association for the Visually Impaired (PERTIS). 'I congratulate TH on this meaningful effort, as this guidebook will benefit our visually impaired pilgrims and may inspire others still waiting for their chance to perform the haj,' he said. He added that any additional support required by disabled pilgrims would be provided promptly to ensure smooth access to services throughout the pilgrimage. As preparations intensify ahead of wukuf, considered the pinnacle of the haj, set to take place this Thursday (June 5), the minister urged all pilgrims to prioritise their health. 'Haj cannot be completed without wukuf in Arafah. We want no one to miss it due to illness in the final 24 hours,' he warned. Among this year's visually impaired pilgrims is Nai'mah Mansor, 64, a retired schoolteacher from Kuala Terengganu who lost her sight completely just two years ago. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in her youth and later glaucoma at 55, she became fully blind in 2023. Yet, she has since mastered Quranic Braille. 'I never missed a single day of practice, even if just for an hour. Maybe that's why I picked it up quickly. Now I'm able to teach it to others too,' she said.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Negeri Sembilan attracts biotechnology investors from China
PETALING JAYA: Negeri Sembilan remains a preferred destination for foreign investors in the biotechnology sector, with several companies from China expressing interest in investing in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said that several Chinese biotechnology entrepreneurs and investors showed interest in investing in the state during a recent visit by the state government to China. He highlighted that several biotechnology investors and entrepreneurs have expressed a desire to relocate their operations to Negeri Sembilan and have requested that the state government allocate a dedicated area for this purpose. 'Discussions are ongoing between the state government and the interested companies and investors. We have identified a suitable site in Bandar Ensterk for developing this biotechnology segment. 'In collaboration with the Pilgrims Fund Board or Lembaga Tabung Haji, Negeri Sembilan will provide an area of approximately 161.88 hectares (ha) to host the project,' he told reporters after delivering his speech at the MIDF Lunch Talk, Negeri Sembilan: The Next Smart Frontier. Aminuddin added that once an agreement is reached with the investors, construction work will commence as soon as possible and is expected to take place this year. Meanwhile, he said that the state government's plan to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered smart container port as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) at Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson, will proceed once the land acquisition process is completed. In his speech, Aminuddin also mentioned that Negeri Sembilan is home to more than 500 foreign and local manufacturing companies, mostly concentrated in the Seremban district, specifically in Nilai, Senawang, Sendayan, and Enstek. He noted that among the multinational companies established in the state are Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Coca‑Cola Bottlers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, and others. 'Besides contributing to the state's gross domestic product, the presence of these companies creates more quality job opportunities, strengthens the value chain, and generally boosts the state's economy. 'Furthermore, the presence of these multinational companies enhances the state's image, increasing the confidence of prospective investors from both within and outside the country,' he said. In this regard, the menteri besar stated that in 2024, Negeri Sembilan recorded approved investments amounting to RM7.25 billion, which is expected to create more than 4,600 job opportunities in the state. Aminuddin added that over the past five years (2019–2024), the top five countries contributing to foreign investment in Negeri Sembilan were South Korea with RM7.49 billion, followed by Sweden with RM5.06 billion, the Netherlands with RM2.38 billion, Singapore with RM2.38 billion, and Japan with RM1.66 billion.
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
Pilgrims advised to send purchases home via post for smoother worship, hassle-free return journey
MAKKAH: Malaysian pilgrims are advised to plan their purchases and arrange to post items home early while in the Holy Land to ensure a smoother worship experience, especially in preparation for Wukuf Day, and to provide greater comfort during their return journey home. Pilgrims Fund Board (TH) External Services Manager Mohamad Zamry Mohd Noor said in previous Haj seasons, many pilgrims tend to buy souvenirs and gifts at the last minute, when that period should instead be fully devoted to acts of worship, especially during the Masyair phase. 'Pilgrims are encouraged to immediately send purchased items to the mailing counter provided in the accommodation lobby without bringing them up to their rooms. This measure helps avoid room congestion, ensuring greater comfort and preventing fatigue when returning home. 'Imagine if pilgrims have to carry more than 10 like lifting a sack of rice. The journey from the accommodation to the airport, including climbing stairs and handling luggage for check-in and into the aircraft cabin, can be extremely tiring. 'In the end, pilgrims arrive home completely exhausted,' he said when met by the media here recently. He said that as of May 18, more than 85,000 kg of pilgrims' belongings had been posted back to Malaysia since April 29, with an estimated cost of nearly 1.5 million Saudi Riyals. Mohamad Zamry said pilgrims can also send copies of the Quran through the postal service, with each copy properly wrapped and affixed with a special sticker. These items will be handled separately to ensure their safety and proper preservation, he said. He said according to the agreement between Tabung Haji and the shipping company, each package is covered by takaful guarantee and is assured of safe delivery to Malaysia. 'In the event of loss, the shipping company is responsible for paying compensation to the pilgrims. For items worth more than RM1,000, pilgrims can also choose to take out additional insurance coverage by making a payment to the shipping company,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohammad Zamry reminded pilgrims not to post Zamzam water, as it is classified as a prohibited item by the Saudi Arabian government. 'There were a few pilgrims in the previous haj seasons who sent Zamzam water in small bottles via cargo delivery without the knowledge of the operator, and this action ultimately resulted in their goods being detained or not reaching Malaysia,' he said. For this year's haj season, TH approved five logistics companies, including their subsidiaries, to provide postal service for Malaysian pilgrims in the Holy Land. They are TH Travel & Services Sdn Bhd, Post Malaysia Berhad, FGV Transport Services Sdn Bhd, MASkargo and Logistics Sdn. Bhd and KTH Logistics Sdn Bhd. In Madinah, the service is available at Saja Al Madinah Hotel, Emaar Royal Hotel and Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick, while in Makkah, there are at Abraj Al Janadriyah, Qasar Janadriyah, Rehab Janadriyah, Abraj Al Tayseer, Diary Al Saad, Land Premium and Al Fajar Al Badee 5.
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
Pilgrims urged to ship souvenirs early for smoother haj
MAKKAH: Malaysian pilgrims are advised to plan their purchases and arrange to post items home early while in the Holy Land to ensure a smoother worship experience, especially in preparation for Wukuf Day, and to provide greater comfort during their return journey home. Pilgrims Fund Board (TH) External Services Manager Mohamad Zamry Mohd Noor said in previous Haj seasons, many pilgrims tend to buy souvenirs and gifts at the last minute, when that period should instead be fully devoted to acts of worship, especially during the Masyair phase. 'Pilgrims are encouraged to immediately send purchased items to the mailing counter provided in the accommodation lobby without bringing them up to their rooms. This measure helps avoid room congestion, ensuring greater comfort and preventing fatigue when returning home. 'Imagine if pilgrims have to carry more than 10 like lifting a sack of rice. The journey from the accommodation to the airport, including climbing stairs and handling luggage for check-in and into the aircraft cabin, can be extremely tiring. 'In the end, pilgrims arrive home completely exhausted,' he said when met by the media here recently. He said that as of May 18, more than 85,000 kg of pilgrims' belongings had been posted back to Malaysia since April 29, with an estimated cost of nearly 1.5 million Saudi Riyals. Mohamad Zamry said pilgrims can also send copies of the Quran through the postal service, with each copy properly wrapped and affixed with a special sticker. These items will be handled separately to ensure their safety and proper preservation, he said. He said according to the agreement between Tabung Haji and the shipping company, each package is covered by takaful guarantee and is assured of safe delivery to Malaysia. 'In the event of loss, the shipping company is responsible for paying compensation to the pilgrims. For items worth more than RM1,000, pilgrims can also choose to take out additional insurance coverage by making a payment to the shipping company,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohammad Zamry reminded pilgrims not to post Zamzam water, as it is classified as a prohibited item by the Saudi Arabian government. 'There were a few pilgrims in the previous haj seasons who sent Zamzam water in small bottles via cargo delivery without the knowledge of the operator, and this action ultimately resulted in their goods being detained or not reaching Malaysia,' he said. For this year's haj season, TH approved five logistics companies, including their subsidiaries, to provide postal service for Malaysian pilgrims in the Holy Land. They are TH Travel & Services Sdn Bhd, Post Malaysia Berhad, FGV Transport Services Sdn Bhd, MASkargo and Logistics Sdn. Bhd and KTH Logistics Sdn Bhd. In Madinah, the service is available at Saja Al Madinah Hotel, Emaar Royal Hotel and Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick, while in Makkah, there are at Abraj Al Janadriyah, Qasar Janadriyah, Rehab Janadriyah, Abraj Al Tayseer, Diary Al Saad, Land Premium and Al Fajar Al Badee 5.
Barnama
7 days ago
- Barnama
Pilgrims Advised To Send Purchases Home Via Post For Smoother Worship, Hassle-free Return Journey
By Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan MAKKAH, May 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian pilgrims are advised to plan their purchases and arrange to post items home early while in the Holy Land to ensure a smoother worship experience, especially in preparation for Wukuf Day, and to provide greater comfort during their return journey home. Pilgrims Fund Board (TH) External Services Manager Mohamad Zamry Mohd Noor said in previous Haj seasons, many pilgrims tend to buy souvenirs and gifts at the last minute, when that period should instead be fully devoted to acts of worship, especially during the Masyair phase. "Pilgrims are encouraged to immediately send purchased items to the mailing counter provided in the accommodation lobby without bringing them up to their rooms. This measure helps avoid room congestion, ensuring greater comfort and preventing fatigue when returning home. "Imagine if pilgrims have to carry more than 10 like lifting a sack of rice. The journey from the accommodation to the airport, including climbing stairs and handling luggage for check-in and into the aircraft cabin, can be extremely tiring. 'In the end, pilgrims arrive home completely exhausted,' he said when met by the media here recently. He said that as of May 18, more than 85,000 kg of pilgrims' belongings had been posted back to Malaysia since April 29, with an estimated cost of nearly 1.5 million Saudi Riyals. Mohamad Zamry said pilgrims can also send copies of the Quran through the postal service, with each copy properly wrapped and affixed with a special sticker. These items will be handled separately to ensure their safety and proper preservation, he said.
