MADINAH: Tabung Haji (TH) has secured additional accommodation in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque for this year’s haj pilgrimage, following the increase in Malaysia’s haj quota to 30,200 pilgrims.
TH Operations Director for Madinah, Mohd Zawawi Bostam, said eight new hotels have been identified to house Malaysian pilgrims at Islam’s second-holiest site during the haj season. There were previously only three hotels allotted for Malaysians.
“With the increase in quota, we have new buildings to house Malaysian pilgrims. “Preparations began in February following discussions with Saudi authorities, including hotel operators, airlines and local travel agencies,” Mohd Zawawi told Malaysian media here.
All hotels housing Malaysian pilgrims are located between 50m and 300m from the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi), which is expected to accommodate 1 million worshippers during the haj season.
The hotels are grouped under three zones (from two zones previously), with each zone providing the full suite of TH services for pilgrims, including medical, financial, postal, counselling and communications facilities.
“All TH zone offices and related services should be up and running before the first flight of Malaysian pilgrims arrives in Madinah on July 24,” Zawawi said.
More than 200 TH officers have already arrived in Madinah since July 15 to set up operations, including information technology (IT) support, medical centres, accommodation and transportation. A media team of various print and broadcast outlets will also be reporting on this year’s haj season.
In total, about 600 TH officers will be on duty in Mekkah and Madinah during the haj.