Latest news with #Wukuf
The Star
2 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.
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Braille manual launched to aid vision-impaired haj pilgrims, says Mohd Na'im
MECCA: A Braille manual has been launched to assist vision-impaired haj pilgrims during their pilgrimage. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that the manual on how to perform various rituals of the haj will enable blind and vision-impaired pilgrims to understand the do's and don'ts and be more independent. He said this to the Malaysian media after launching the Braille haj manual here in Mecca at the Land Premium Hotel on Tuesday (June 3). "There are 11 vision-impaired pilgrims among Malaysian pilgrims this year. This Braille haj manual will be an accompaniment to the Braille Quran, which the vision-impaired pilgrims are already using. "With this manual, it is hoped that it will ease their pilgrimage, although Tabung Haji would still allow pilgrims with disabilities to have a companion when they get called up to perform haj. "Tabung Haji has always ensured that their staff members assist all haj pilgrims, especially those who are vision-impaired. "However, we will upgrade facilities for people with disabilities, such as providing Braille manuals, to enable them to perform the haj more comfortably," said Mohd Na'im. He also advised pilgrims not to shy away from approaching Tabung Haji staff to seek any form of assistance. Mohd Na'im further reminded the pilgrims to take care of their health and safety as they make their way to the plains of Mount Arafat, for Wukuf on the Day of Arafat (June 5), a key ritual of haj. Vision-impaired pilgrim Na'imah Mansor, 64, said that a manual like this is very welcome as it helps her to be more independent. About 31,600 Malaysians are among more than two million pilgrims who will perform the hajj in Mecca this year.
The Sun
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia becomes first nation authorised to distribute Nusuk cards domestically
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has marked another milestone by becoming the first country in the world granted approval by the Saudi Arabian government to distribute Nusuk cards to hajj pilgrims domestically, before their departure to the Holy Land. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the approval is a recognition of Malaysia's efficient hajj management system. 'Last year, the Nusuk cards were handed out in Makkah before the Wukuf ritual, but this year, they will be distributed earlier to ease the pilgrims' movement. 'If we succeed in managing the domestic distribution of the Nusuk cards, the initiative will be extended to other Muslim countries. 'This is a significant recognition from the Saudi government, made possible through the close and strategic cooperation between Tabung Haji (TH) and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,' he told reporters after visiting the Hajj Visa Processing Unit to observe preparations for the 1446H/2025 pilgrimage season. Also present were TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman. The Nusuk card, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, serves as the official identification for all pilgrims worldwide. Mohd Na'im also extended appreciation to the Saudi government for its efficiency in issuing visas and improving the Nusuk card system. 'Insya-Allah, this achievement will serve as a catalyst for TH to continue providing the best services to Malaysian pilgrims,' he said. Meanwhile, he said the visa issuance process for Malaysian pilgrims for this year's hajj season has reached 45 per cent. 'TH is also fully prepared for this year's hajj operations, with readiness at nearly 100 per cent. This year, TH is deploying 632 hajj personnel, comprising welfare staff, medical staff, and external agencies involved,' he added.
The Sun
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia first nation to distribute Nusuk cards domestically
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has marked another milestone by becoming the first country in the world granted approval by the Saudi Arabian government to distribute Nusuk cards to hajj pilgrims domestically, before their departure to the Holy Land. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the approval is a recognition of Malaysia's efficient hajj management system. 'Last year, the Nusuk cards were handed out in Makkah before the Wukuf ritual, but this year, they will be distributed earlier to ease the pilgrims' movement. 'If we succeed in managing the domestic distribution of the Nusuk cards, the initiative will be extended to other Muslim countries. 'This is a significant recognition from the Saudi government, made possible through the close and strategic cooperation between Tabung Haji (TH) and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,' he told reporters after visiting the Hajj Visa Processing Unit to observe preparations for the 1446H/2025 pilgrimage season. Also present were TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman. The Nusuk card, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, serves as the official identification for all pilgrims worldwide. Mohd Na'im also extended appreciation to the Saudi government for its efficiency in issuing visas and improving the Nusuk card system. 'Insya-Allah, this achievement will serve as a catalyst for TH to continue providing the best services to Malaysian pilgrims,' he said. Meanwhile, he said the visa issuance process for Malaysian pilgrims for this year's hajj season has reached 45 per cent. 'TH is also fully prepared for this year's hajj operations, with readiness at nearly 100 per cent. This year, TH is deploying 632 hajj personnel, comprising welfare staff, medical staff, and external agencies involved,' he added.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia becomes first nation authorised to distribute Nusuk cards domestically
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has marked another milestone by becoming the first country in the world granted approval by the Saudi Arabian government to distribute Nusuk cards to haj pilgrims domestically, before their departure to the Holy Land. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the approval is a recognition of Malaysia's efficient haj management system. "Last year, the Nusuk cards were handed out in Makkah before the Wukuf ritual, but this year, they will be distributed earlier to ease the pilgrims' movement. "If we succeed in managing the domestic distribution of the Nusuk cards, the initiative will be extended to other Muslim countries. "This is a significant recognition from the Saudi government, made possible through the close and strategic cooperation between Tabung Haji (TH) and the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah," he told reporters after visiting the Haj Visa Processing Unit to observe preparations for the 1446H/2025 pilgrimage season. Also present were TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman. The Nusuk card, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah, serves as the official identification for all pilgrims worldwide. Mohd Na'im also extended appreciation to the Saudi government for its efficiency in issuing visas and improving the Nusuk card system. "Insya-Allah, this achievement will serve as a catalyst for TH to continue providing the best services to Malaysian pilgrims," he said. Meanwhile, he said the visa issuance process for Malaysian pilgrims for this year's haj season has reached 45 per cent. "TH is also fully prepared for this year's haj operations, with readiness at nearly 100 per cent. This year, TH is deploying 632 haj personnel, comprising welfare staff, medical staff, and external agencies involved," he added. – BERNAMA
