ARAFAH: The excellent relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have resulted in more Malaysians performing the Haj in the Holy Land this year.
Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the latest headcount here stood at 42,200 according to a management report.
The figure was 12,000 more than 30,200 announced initially, he said to Malaysian journalists here for the pilgrimage on Thursday.
Earlier, Abdul Azeez had accompanied Malaysian Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki on a visit to the camps in Arafah accommodating Malaysian pilgrims.
He had said the additional slots were possible following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's request to Saudi ruler King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, and this indicated the good ties between the two countries.
Speaking to Malaysian media here on Thursday, Azeez said 20 pilgrims have since died, including three on the Day of Arafah.
"We will do badal haji (proxy haj) for 12 of them. Five had already performed haj before, and the three who passed away today will have their proxy haj done next year," he added.
During wukuf, 12 pilgrims remained hospitalised, including four in coma. The other eight were being evaluated to see if they were capable of continuing with their haj.
Wukuf is an obligatory ritual of haj. Failure to be present at Arafah on 9 Zulhijjah, even if they had performed other rituals, would invalidate their haj.
"Those unable to make it to wukuf would get their RM9,980 payment refunded, and we pray they will be able to come again next year if their health permits," Azeez added.
At the same time, TH also provided Safari Wukuf services for sick pilgrims, where they were taken to Arafah in ambulances to make supplications on the auspicious day, and then returned to the hospital.
"We used the Safari Wukuf for 85 pilgrims this year," he said.
Pilgrims will be making their way from Muzdalifah to Mina today, for the Stoning of the Devil ritual over the next three days. This will be another challenging phase of the Haj as they will have to walk about 7km each day from their tents in Mina to the Jamrat Complex.
"The weather is hot as expected. We ask that pilgrims have patience, and hope all Malaysians will pray that our pilgrims can perform the 5th pillar of Islam and return safely to Malaysia with haj mabrur, Insya-Allah," he added.
