MAKKAH: Pilgrims for the current haj season will enjoy better facilities aimed at increasing their comfort in Arafah and Mina.
These are a result of several improvements in terms of facilities by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) in collaboration with Mashariq Holdings, the company responsible for ensuring that all facilities meet the requirements of pilgrims and are completed before wukuf day.
Malaysian haj delegation head Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the improvements included an increase in the number of toilets, air conditioning and better quality facilities in the tents compared to last year.
"Several facilities at the Mina and Arafah camps include more organised cafeterias, and hot and cold drinks that are placed in every corner of the tent are provided more regularly than before," he said.
"So far, he said, the upgrading works of all facilities in Mina and Arafah have reached the best level and are almost complete, at 70 and 80 per cent respectively," he told the media after a site visit to Arafah and Mina, on Tuesday.
Also present was Al-Masyariq Al Masiyah board chairman, Ali Hussein Bunduqji.
According to Syed Saleh, in addition to increasing the number of toilets, Masyariq has also provided additional water tanks to ensure uninterrupted water supply .
"In Mina, the tent walls are made from gypsum boards that are stronger and can absorb heat and thicker end-to-end carpets.
To ensure the pilgrims are more comfortable in the hot weather, more air conditioners have been installed in the tents by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
"This allows pilgrims to be more comfortable and able to fully focus on their pilgrimage. This improvement can only be felt by Malaysian pilgrims," he added.
The additional facilities show that TH and Masyariq are serious about providing comfort to the congregation.
The cooperation with Masyariq has also allowed the country to be the first to complete all the agreement contracts to be sent to the Saudi Arabian authorities, thus being honored as be the first country to choose the location of its campsite.
"In Arafah, we chose a location at the far end close to Muzdalifah, while in Mina we chose a service site close to the tunnel to make it easier for pilgrims to go to the jamrah," he said.