KOTA BARU: The government is expected to announce the mechanism and standard operating procedures (SOP) to be used by Malaysian umrah pilgrims next month.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said this was following Saudi Arabia's decision to increase capacity of umrah pilgrims to 100,000 starting last Friday.
"The issue is being handled by a religious agency under the PM's Department as well as the Umrah and Haj Wakaf Department.
"They are now at the final stage (of finalising the SOP and mechanism which will be used by umrah pilgrims) and we expect to come out with the decision next month," he said.
The Pengkalan Chepa member of parliament was speaking to reporters after visiting the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre's (Puspen) Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre in Kampung Landak here today.
Accompanying him were Kelantan National Anti-Drug Agency director Rohayu Ahmad and the centre's director Siti Rugayah Ismail.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj and Umrah had announced an increase in the capacity of umrah pilgrims to 100,000 people starting Oct 1.
The kingdom's authorities also increased the number of daily prayer congregants inside the holy mosque to 60,000 people.
The Saudi ministry's Twitter account also said it was coordinating with relevant agencies in implementing a strategic plan that focuses on health and safety in preparation to receive 3.5 million pilgrims and visitors a month.
In early September, the ministry had announced that a total of 10 million pilgrims had performed umrah since the launch of the 'safe Umrah model' on Oct 4, 2020.
On today's visit to the centre, Marzuk said the centre was an initiative by the government to help drug addicts who have repented.
"These inmates have entered the centre voluntarily as they want to be treated and the centre can accommodate about 190 inmates at one time," he added.
