MAKKAH: A total of 74 pilgrims receiving treatment at the Tabung Haji (TH) Treatment Centre and hospitals here were taken to perform wukuf in Arafah through the Safari Wukuf programme yesterday.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said all patients were transported using specially converted buses to accommodate critically ill patients for the brief journey to Arafah to perform the second pillar of haj.
"Alhamdulillah, the Safari Wukuf programme was successfully carried out. The pilgrims were brought to Arafah for a short duration for wukuf and will return immediately," he told reporters yesterday.
Earlier, Mohd Na'im, accompanied by TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and TH chief executive officer Syed Hamadah Syed Othman, visited patients receiving treatment at the clinic in the Arafah tent.
Also present were Malaysian haj delegation head Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman and TH senior management.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na'im said he also inspected the implementation of the Prihatin Tetamu Ar Rahman Programme (Peneman), a companion initiative in Arafah.
"A total of 50 elderly and infirm pilgrims were chosen by a counselling committee for this programme and each has a companion among TH staff.
"The pilgrims expressed their gratitude for this initiative and felt that their welfare, safety and health are well taken care of, allowing them to focus on their worship," he said.
As such, the minister expressed his appreciation to all the staff involved in the haj operation for the 1445H/2024M season for their tireless efforts in ensuring all pilgrims could perform the wukuf yesterday.– BERNAMA