Latest news with #SaudiMinistryofHajandUmrah
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Saudi imposes ban on pilgrims walking from Mecca to Arafah due to extreme heat
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on pilgrims walking from Mecca to Arafah or have prolonged exposed to the sun during the "masyair" phase (June 5-9) as dangerously high temperatures are forecast. The directive was issued by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah to avoid heatstroke or even deaths among pilgrims. Pilgrims have also been advised against visiting popular religious sites such as Namirah Mosque and Jabal Rahmah between 10am and 4pm, typically the hottest hours of the day. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said as an alternative, the Saudi government would 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 on Sunday (June 1). The masyair phase is considered the peak phase of the 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 (June 5-8). Mohd Na'im said the new restrictions were designed to safeguard pilgrims' well-being, especially during the crucial "wukuf" ritual at Arafah, when pilgrims gather outdoors in prayer and reflection. Saudi officials have urged haj authorities across the Muslim world to remind pilgrims to limit their exposure to direct sunlight during this period. Officials have also reinforced regulations on 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 has been found in the Holy Land without valid permits," said Mohd Na'im. He added that those found attempting to perform the haj without official approval would face firm action from Saudi authorities.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
Nusuk card now equipped with QR code to prevent forgery - Mohd Na'im
SEPANG: 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.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
Nusuk card now equipped with QR code to prevent forgery
SEPANG: 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.
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
Nusuk card now equipped with QR code to prevent forgery
SEPANG: The enhanced Nusuk Card is now equipped with a quick response (QR) code to prevent forgery of the official identification card for haj pilgrims, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He mentioned that the card now includes 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 on Tuesday (April 29). 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. Regarding flight arrangements for the 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for this Haj season, Mohd Na'im stated that a total of 100 special chartered flights, operated by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines via Aamal, have been scheduled to commence on Tuesday, with the final flight scheduled for June 1. "The first group of Malaysian pilgrims is expected to arrive at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at 7.50am (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
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Nusuk card equipped with QR code to prevent forgery – Mohd Na'im
SEPANG: 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 7.50am (Saudi time) tomorrow," he added. Malaysia's official haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government this year is for 31,600 pilgrims who will arrive in the Holy Land in stages. – BERNAMA
