
Malaysian haj pilgrims advised to stay indoors as Arafah, Mina face 50°C heat
Tabung Haji's Malaysian haj delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun said this in line with the directives issued by the Saudi Arabian Haj and Umrah Ministry which recommended the implementation of a lockdown (restriction) of pilgrims' movements in the Arafah and Mina areas during peak heat hours as a preventive measure against the risk of heat stroke.
"We received the instructions through the WhatsApp group of heads of haj delegations nationwide and also during my meeting with the Deputy Minister of International Relations, Ministry of Haj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, Dr Hassan Yahya Al-Manakhrah.
"He emphasised that full cooperation be given to the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, and the local operator, Masyarik, to ensure pilgrims remain in their tents and do not go out during the scorching hot weather," he said when met by the media after the haj officers' gathering with the Malaysian haj delegation head at the Tabung Haji headquarters here yesterday.
He said the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah also recommended that pilgrims remain in their respective tents during the wukuf day and not go out to open areas, including the Namirah Mosque, to listen to the Arafah sermon.
"As an alternative measure, the Saudi Arabian authorities have requested that large screens be provided at the tent area for pilgrims to watch the live broadcast of the Arafah sermon," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Hisham also called on all haj officials to be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to face the peak of the haj operations, especially during the movement of pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina soon.
"Tabung Haji's main focus is to ensure that all Malaysian pilgrims can perform their wukuf at Arafah. For pilgrims who are undergoing treatment, we will implement the 'safari wukuf' method, which is to take them on a bus to Arafah and the bus will stop there for at least one to two hours before returning to the treatment centre," he said.
He also reminded the officers to take care of their health and work together as a team to ensure the welfare and smoothness of the haj pilgrimage by Malaysian pilgrims.
"We pray that all the planning and implementation for the haj will go smoothly and that officers will play an important role in ensuring that pilgrims can perform their worship perfectly, Insya Allah," he said.
– BERNAMA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Record heat in China strains power grid, stirs health fears
A child holding a portable fan amid a yellow alert for heat, in Shanghai. - Reuters BEIJING: China warned on Wednesday (July 23) against the risk of power supply disruptions as people struggled to keep cool in record heat baking large swathes of the country, which also spurred warnings to the elderly to guard against heat stroke. Power supply suffers while demand surges, exceeding 1.5 billion kilowatts for the first time last week, energy officials said, in a third new record for China this month, when its first nationwide alert on heat-related health risks also went out. "High-temperature weather will... have an impact on power generation and supply," weather official Chen Hui told a press conference on Wednesday, adding that it would hit hydropower output and reduce the efficiency of photovoltaic generation. Authorities will send alerts to notify electricity suppliers if tactics such as peak-shaving and cross-regional dispatching of power are called for, added Chen, an official of the China Meteorological Administration. Since mid-March, the number of days when temperatures hit 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or more is the highest on record, said Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Centre. Authorities asked the elderly to stay indoors unless necessary, while urging outdoor workers to scale down activity on such "sauna days". Temperatures have hit new highs since mid-March in the central provinces of Henan and Hubei, Shandong in the east, Sichuan in the southwest, and northwestern Shaanxi and Xinjiang, pushing the national average to the second highest on record. During the last two weeks, 152 national weather observatories tracked temperatures above 40 degrees C (104 F) with one in Xinjiang reaching 48.7 degrees C (119.7 F), Jia said. He did not rule out the chance of more record-breaking heat, saying August could prove as warm as, or even hotter than, in recent years. - Reuters


New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia Airlines taps 'Pocket Rocketman' Azizulhasni Awang in sports branding drive
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has named national track cycling legend Datuk Azizulhasni Awang—better known as the 'Pocket Rocketman'—as the official ambassador for MHsports, its specialised platform for sports travel. The high-profile appointment signals MAG's commitment to deepening engagement with Malaysia's sporting ecosystem while reinforcing national pride through strategic brand partnerships. By aligning with one of the country's most celebrated athletes, the Group aims to elevate Malaysia Airlines as not just a national carrier but a strong advocate for local sports excellence. This move comes as MAG accelerates its MHsports initiative—an end-to-end travel solution tailored for athletes and sports organisations, offering exclusive airfare discounts, extra baggage allowance for equipment, and flexible booking options. The platform is a key part of MAG's strategy to serve niche markets and build stronger emotional ties with Malaysian consumers. Azizulhasni, the first Malaysian cyclist to win an Olympic medal and a role model to young athletes nationwide, embodies the values of determination, discipline, and resilience—traits MAG hopes will inspire the next generation. Through the partnership, Malaysia Airlines will support Azizulhasni's preparations and participation in international competitions. He will also play an active role in MHsports' brand campaigns and youth outreach efforts aimed at promoting sports as a force for unity and national pride. Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, group managing director of MAG, said Malaysia Airlines 'remains deeply committed to supporting national sports development. "We are proud to play a role in the journeys of Malaysian athletes, providing travel solutions tailored to their needs as they represent the nation on the world stage. Our goal is to continue building meaningful support systems for the sporting community while contributing to Malaysia's growing presence in the international sports arena."


Malaysian Reserve
13 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
No Malaysians affected by Typhoon Wipha in the Philippines, Vietnam
PUTRAJAYA — No Malaysians have been reported affected by Typhoon Wipha in the Philippines and Vietnam, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. In a statement, the ministry has urged Malaysians in both countries to remain vigilant, comply with all instructions issued by local authorities, and avoid high-risk areas. 'The ministry will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as necessary,' read the statement. Typhoon Wipha, which has now weakened into a severe tropical storm, has caused torrential rain and flooding, resulting in five deaths and the displacement of thousands in the Philippines. Since July 20, heavy rain associated with the southwest monsoon has severely affected Luzon, Visayas and parts of Mindanao, including Metro Manila. In Vietnam, the typhoon is expected to bring up to 500mm of rainfall to the northern region, with local authorities warning of flash floods and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas, it added. The Foreign Ministry also encouraged Malaysians who have not registered with the nearest Malaysian Embassy to do so in order to facilitate timely updates and consular assistance. For consular assistance, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila can be contacted at +63 2 8662 8200 / 8662 8201 / 8662 8202 or via email at mwmanila@ / infomanila@ In Vietnam, the Malaysian Embassy in Hanoi can be reached at +84 24 3734 3849 / 3734 3820 / 3734 3832 or via email at mwhanoi@ — BERNAMA