Tabung Haji Better Prepared To Serve Malaysian Pilgrims During Hajj Season This Year

From Razali Pilus MADINAH, June 17 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian hajj pilgrims fund board, Tabung Haji (TH) is better prepared to serve about 22,320 Malaysian pilgrims arriving through Medina when they perform the hajj this year, said TH Haj consul in Medina, Redhuan Sabaruddin. He said with the completion of the Prince Mohammad Abdul Aziz International Airport here, a special terminal has been set up to cater for pilgrims to ensure a smooth entry. "The special terminal with six pavilions is located separately from the counters for international and domestic passengers. We can foresee with this improvement it would be easier in terms of management of arrival and departure of pilgrims," he said at a press conference for the Malaysian media here Tuesday. A total of 11 Malaysian media representatives, including Bernama, will be in Medina and Makkah from June 15 to 23 to observe TH's preparations for the Hajj season this year. He said TH had also made arrangements to manage the 'muassasah' or selected hajj pilgrims under the arrangement of establishment, from Malaysia, who would be arriving in four batches this year. He said three buildings here have been identified to accommodate the hajj pilgrims involved for eight days before they depart for Makkah. "The buildings include the Al-Haram Hotel with 2,500 beds, Movenpick Hotel (1,625 beds) and Al-Saha Hotel (730 beds)," he said. Meanwhile, Redhuan said the new Medina TH office was now operational at Dar Al-Jefri building and equipped with medical facilities for Malaysian pilgrims. "The hajj pilgrims may also seek medical treatment at TH zone offices in Medina," he said. In addition, he said TH was also collaborating with Saudi Arabia authorities and Muasassah Adilla to provide the best services to Malaysian pilgrims. --BERNAMA