MAKKAH: Malaysian haj pilgrims will enjoy a more comfortable and less dusty living space with ceramic tile flooring inside their tents in Mina this year, as well as new double storey toilets in Arafah and Muzdalifah.
These are among efforts, together with air conditioned tents in Arafah, to make the Masyair period less trying for Malaysian pilgrims this year.
Masyair is considered the most challenging time of the haj. It involves a massive movement of pilgrims - close to three million from around the world - from Makkah to Arafah for wukuf, and then onwards to Muzdalifah, and Mina for the stoning ritual. It is expected to start on Aug 19.
Pilgrims will be spending a lot of time out in the open or in tents. They will stay in tents overnight in Arafah and around three nights in Mina.
Many improvements have been made through the years for Malaysian pilgrims, including fireproof tents.
Tabung Haji (TH) head of the Malaysian 1439H haj delegation Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the tents in Arafah have already been fixed with air-conditioning units ahead of schedule.
Previously, the tents in Arafah were only equipped with mist fans and this was not entirely effective in keeping pilgrims cool especially now that the haj season is during the hot summer months.
"In Mina, the tents for Malaysian pilgrims have ceramic tile flooring. Last year, the floor was dusty and uneven as it was merely carpeting pulled over rocky bare earth.
"In Arafah and Muzdalifah, aside from the regular ones, there are also new double storey toilets. In Mina, these new toilets are available along the route towards the jamarat (pillars where the stoning ritual is held)," he told Malaysian media after inspecting facilities for pilgrims at Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina.
Saying that preparations were on track, Syed Saleh thanked the Saudi government and the Southeast Asia Muassasah for all the improvements enjoyed by Malaysian pilgrims this year.
He cautioned, however, that the situation during Masyair, especially in Mina where pilgrims would be spending the longest time, was still challenging due to the heat and cramped conditions.
Malaysian pilgrims this year number 30,200.
"In Mina, there will be 200 to 300 people per tent measuring 15x25 metres thus each pilgrim will only have space measuring 0.85 sq metres each.
"They won't be able to sleep on their backs. They need to sleep on their side and only bring the carryall bag given to them by TH otherwise they will take up the space of other pilgrims. They need to cooperate and be considerate."
He pointed out that pilgrims were already given a taste of what things would be like as for the first time this year, the TH pre-departure course included a segment where pilgrims were made to experience a simulation of the conditions in Mina.
As for Muzdalifah, Syed Saleh said the site for Malaysian pilgrims was the same as last year, and that was good as it was near the Mina border.
"Malaysia's site is the nearest to the border compared to other countries. This facilitates our movement from Muzdalifah to Mina."
At Muzdalifah, pilgrims pick up pebbles for the stoning ritual in Mina.