MECCA: Malaysian haj pilgrims who are mentally or physically unwell can still perform the major haj or wukuf in Arafah which falls on Nov 15, or the 9th Day of Zulhijah.
ASSISTANCE: Amat Kamang (left) being interviewed by Bernama. — Bernama photo
Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji (TH)) General Manager (Guidance) Tengku Aziz Raja Abdullah said they would be guided and accompanied by TH staff from the day they leave for Arafah on Nov 14 till the completion of the haj.
Since the service was introduced in 2002, he said no more reports were received pertaining to Malaysian pilgrims who went missing during wukuf in Arafah, stoning of the Jamarat in Mina, and after performing Tawaf and Saie in the Masjidil Haram or Grand Mosque.
He said prior to this, there were many reports of pilgrims who went missing, including those who lost self-control when in a crowded environment, or during wukuf, in Mina or at the Grand Mosque.
“This service is provided free of charge,” he told the TH media team covering the Haj Season 1431H, yesterday.
Tengku Aziz said each pilgrim who requested for the service would be screened by a panel led by the TH operations director in Mecca, Zechariah Yett.
The panel comprises a medical officer and a religious teacher.
The chosen pilgrims will be segregated from the other congregation, and each of them would be accompanied and guided by a TH personnel.
They will be assisted to perform the haj from start to finish, he said.
“The main objective for the service is to enable all pilgrims to complete their religious obligations,” Tengku Aziz said.
He said the screening test began Sunday and expected to be completed yesterday.
Last year, about 40 people benefited from the service.
A pilgrim with disabilities, Amat Kamang, 75, from Sandakan, Sabah was grateful that the service had enabled him to realise his dream to perform the haj.
“I have been saving the monthly financial aid that I received from the Community Development Department for more than 20 years.
“As the service has been made available, I hope to be able to perform the haj this year,” said the crippled senior citizen whose hands were also amputated after falling ill at the age of 12. — Bernama