Malaysian Haj Pilgrims Start Moving To Arafah

From Mohd Shukri Ishak MAKKAH, Sept 23 (Bernama) - Malaysian haj pilgrims Tuesday began moving in buses for the wukuf (the stop over) in Arafah, an important ritual in the pilgrimage. The pilgrims began moving in stages according to their haj flights (KT) from 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm, 8pm and 10pm Saudi Arabian time. Saudi Arabian time is five hours later than Malaysian time. Some 22,000 Malaysian haj pilgrims are among the more than three million Muslims from around the world who will converge in Arafah starting Wednesday. The wukuf in Arafah marks the climax of the haj pilgrimage. It comes 12 days after a crane collapsed at Masjidil Haram (Grand Mosque) on Sept 11, killing over 100 people, including seven Malaysian pilgrims. The wukuf begins at noon (Zohor prayer time) on 9 Zulhijjah (Sept 23) and ends at dawn (Subuh prayer time) on 10 Zulhijjah (Sept 24). In Arafah, the Malaysian haj pilgrims will put up in over 2,000 tents. Malaysian Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji or TH) director of operations (guidance) Tengku Aziz Raja Abdullah said the pilgrims will stay in Arafah until 9 Zulhijjah (Sept 23) before moving to Muzdalifah at night. "The pilgrims must stay overnight in Muzdalifah from 11.40pm until sunrise on 10 Zulhijjah (Sept 24). They must be in Mina on 10, 11 and 12 Zulhijjah for the stoning ritual." Tengku Aziz said the pilgrims can also refer to the counsellors should they have any concerns regarding the haj rituals. "Every pilgrim must be fully devoted when conducting the haj rituals to achieve 'haji mabrur' (perfect haj)," he added. Meanwhile, the remains of Shahidan Saad, 52, and Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, were buried in Syara'ik Muaissem cemetery at 7.45pm Monday night. (Saudi Arabian time). The duo were among seven Malaysian pilgrims who were killed in the crane tragedy near Masjidil Haram on Sept 11 during a sandstorm and a thunderstorm. Earlier, the remains were accorded funeral prayers led by Malaysia's Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki. Shahidan's brothers, Sobri and Zulhakimin and Abdul Habib's son, Mohamad Fazil were present at the funeral. The five Malaysian pilgrims buried earlier were Rusiah Suar, 56, from Perak, Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37, Rohana Ismail, 54, and Munah Jusoh, 73, all three from Kelantan, and Zainun Taha, 69, from Selangor. -- BERNAMA