Tabung Haji Rents 12 Buildings To Accommodate 22,320 Malaysian Haj Pilgrims

From Mohd Razman Abdullah MADINAH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Tabung Haji (TH or the Malaysian hajj pilgrims fund board) has rented 12 buildings for accommodation to ensure comfort for the 22,320 Malaysian haj pilgrims. TH acting chief executive officer, Johan Abdullah said the rental agreement for the 12 buildings involved nine buildings in Makkah and three in Madinah. He said that the distance from the hotel to Masjidil Haram, Makkah was not more than 1,000 metres, while in Madinah the distance was not more than 150 metres from the al-Nabawi Mosque. "Thus, they give comfort to the haj pilgrims," he told the Malaysian media, here on logistical preparations by TH for the haj pilgrims this year. On the flights, TH would use the special charter services of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) and Saudi Arabian Airlines to ferry the haj pilgrims to the Holy Land, beginning Aug 4 until Sept 4, he said. Johan said the haj pilgrims were scheduled to depart for home beginning September 17 until October 15. He said Tabung Haji would provide financial counters at every building where the haj pilgrims were being accommodated. "They aim to facilitate the haj pilgrims in withdrawing their money for spending," he added. He said the haj pilgrims need not bring their passport or savings book to withdraw money but merely the name tags provided by Tabung Haji as well as their finger prints to do so. "Also provided are guidance services, counselling and cafeteria and food," he said. For Medical Treatment Centres in the Holy Land during the pilgrimage season, he said, TH would set up clinics at the accommodation buildings as well as the Medical Centres in Makkah and Madinah. He said haj pilgrims requiring medical examination and treatment while in the Holy Land could get such services free of charge. --BERNAMA