Radio Islam International | 22 Dhul Qa’dah 1437/26 August 2016

Get Enough Rest Before Wukuf, Malaysian Haj Pilgrims Told

Malaysian haj pilgrims have been advised to get enough rest before embarking on the Masya’ir operation during this haj season, including to perform the wukuf in Arafah and mabit in Muzdalifah and Mina.

Malaysian haj delegation medical operation director Dr Matnoh Taib said this was because the pilgrims would need extra mental and physical strengths, especially during this hot weather condition, to embark on the Masya’ir operation from 8 to 13 Zulhijjah.

“They have been warned about the hot weather condition that awaits them during wukuf in Arafah. We hope they will drink a lot of water and get enough rest before that to prevent heatstroke or any other health issues,” he told a press conference here Sunday.

He said although the pilgrims were not prohibited from performing umrah during the day, they were also advised not to get over excited to do it repeatedly.

“The Masjidil Haram (Grand Mosque) is quite congested now and the movement of pilgrims is very slow under the hot sun. We are not preventing them from performing umrah multiple times, but they have to have the strength to complete the peak of the haj ritual in Arafah later,” he said.

Dr Matnoh said among the serious health issues detected among pilgrims during wukuf were lung infections and heart attacks.

“But, based on my experience, heatstroke and dehydration were the most common problems faced by our pilgrims,” he said.

As such, he hope all Malaysian pilgrims would avoid being exposed to the scorching sun and to always keep water spray within their reach.

Dr Matnoh said medical centres and clinics set up at all maktab would operate around the clock for the convenience of the pilgrims.

“With the existing equipment, we are also capable of providing treatment for common illness,” he said.

However, he said for major health issues which needed further treatment, the patients would be sent to local hospitals.
(Bernama)

Just over 1000 Hujaaj expected from Azerbaijan

The receipt of documents from Azerbaijani citizens wanting to make Hajj pilgrimage has expired. Apart from the predetermined limit, 10 more people’s requests for Hajj have been accepted.

The Caucasian Muslims Office told APA that a total of 1,050 people, including the lately added 10 people, will be sent on Hajj pilgrimage this year.

The 10 people added anew are VIP.

Note that, submission of documents this year began on 1 April. For the first time, Azerbaijani pilgrims this year will be able to go on Hajj pilgrimage with a biometric passport alone.

The complete Hajj trip from Azerbaijan will last from September 2 to 18.

Pilgrims are offered two forms of pilgrimage as usual. One option, which offers more prestigious hotels where guests can have more expensive meals and stay in four-bed rooms, will coast AZN 4,500. The other, which offers relatively cheaper hotels with six-bed rooms, will coast AZN 3,500.

Submission of documents can only be done at the CMO. Hajj expenses are now AZN 1,000 more expensive due to the dramatic change in USD rate.

Azerbaijan sent 2,400 pilgrims last year. Three of them died in Mecca and buried there.

82,000 pilgrims to benefit from heat-resistant tents in Arafat

Over 82,000 pilgrims are expected to benefit from heat-resistant camps set up in Arafat on an area of 120,00 sq. meters. The European-type tents, costing SR40 million, have been set up by the Tawafa Establishment for pilgrims from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia.

Chairman of the establishment’s board of directors, Tariq Anqawi, said the new tents will be added to the old ones established last year.

He said more than 72,000 pilgrims are expected to come from Turkey for this year’s Haj.

“The establishment is determined to provide its pilgrims with the best of services especially that the temperature is expected to be extremely high during this year’s Haj season,” he said.

Anqawi said the establishment’s 43 field offices have completed arrangements to serve more than 180,000 pilgrims who are expected to come from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia.

“We have more than 400 mutawwifs who will be using state-of-the-art technology to serve our pilgrims and group them quickly,” he said.

The establishment’s Deputy Chairman Osama Zawawi said about 85 percent of the European tents have been completed and they are very comfortable to the pilgrims.

“What is remaining is only the electricity connections which we will do according to the safety measures recommended by the Civil Defense,” he said.

Zawawi said the tents are three-storied consisting of an upper dome and side curtains which act as heat insulators.

“We have added power generators to ensure a continuous flow of electricity and have reduced the cooling area in each tent from 48 to 32 meters to ensure pilgrims enjoy cool air,” he said.

(Arab News)