MAKKAH: They may be first timers serving the dhuyurfurrahman (guests of Allah) as Tabung Haji (TH) officials this year, but one should not sell them short.
When Malaysian pilgrims strayed or got lost in Mina, people like mashae’er field operation head Captain Fuad Ahmad Fadzil would be the one to mobilise assistance to find them.
“While in Mina, we walked for about 10km on average daily to track down lost pilgrims.
“A couple strayed about 5km from the Jamarat Complex after the stoning of the devil ritual.
“When we reached them, the couple, who are in their 50s, told our officers they conducted the taubat (repentance) prayer and vowed not to wander off the route again,” he said with a smile.
The best part about that retrieval, Fuad said, was that the team found 12 other lost pilgrims along the way back to the campsite in Mina.
“The number is big enough to fit everyone into a Toyota Coaster (minibus),” he said, laughing.
When pilgrims need help dealing with their emotional issues, Mohd Fauzi Hassan is one of seven counsellors they can share their problems with.
Since Fauzi reported for duty as a counsellor in this year’s haj operation, he has handled about 30 cases, including helping those with anxiety about mashae’er, which is the colossal movement of pilgrims from Arafah, Mudzalifah and Mina to fulfil their obligations at the peak of the haj season.
“This involves the sick and the old who keep questioning whether they can take part in mashae’er. When they ask those who have done the haj before, unfortunately, the usual information shared will be negative.
“We need to strengthen them mentally and emotionally to face mashae’er so that they can proceed with their ibadah (worship). We help them to learn to cope.”
If pilgrims become emotionally vulnerable, it could affect them physically, Fauzi said.
“The most memorable moment for me is seeing wheelchair users who sought counselling getting up and walking when they are in Arafah or Mina.”
When there is a death in a haj operation, people like National Registration Department (NRD) officer Azimah Osman will assist in registering the death. She said nine deaths had been registered this year.
“Only two NRD officers took part in the haj operation. I sent seven applications before I was chosen. Every year, between 70 and 80 officers from NRD will submit their requests. There are about 4,000 NRD staff.”
Azimah said she helped TH officials when she was not busy.
Fuad, Fauzi and Azimah were among the 640 officials in this year’s haj operation. These officials treat the pilgrims like their own family.
The officials’ sweat, tears and sleepless nights are testament to their sincerity in putting the interest of pilgrims above their own.