All systems go for Wukuf day - Tabung Haji

Tabung Haji (TH) is confident that their preparations to bring 22,000 Malaysian haj pilgrims to perform haj rituals such as the "wukuf" in Arafah, spending nights in Muzdalifah and Mina, as well as the 'stoning of devil' at Jamrat al-Aqabah will go well.

The head of the Malaysian haj delegation, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said as Wukuf day falls on Sept 11, it gives them the advantage of bringing the haj pilgrims to Arafah a day earlier.

"The Saudi Arabian government has announced that Wukuf day will fall on a Sunday, thus enabling us to be ready to transport the pilgrims on Saturday, if not they would be stuck in traffic congestion," he said after a meeting with the Southeast Asia Muassasah at the Tabung Haji (TH) headquarters in Makkah, here on Thursday.

Also present was Southeast Asia Muassasah chairman, Muhammad Amin Hassan Andarqiri.

Syed Saleh said TH staff were working closely with the muassasah (pilgrim delegations) in ensuring the smooth running of preparations.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Amin said they were in their final stages of preparing for amenities in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina. All that was left was the supply of electricity and water at the camp sites before Wukuf day.

Yesterday, the Saudi Arabian government had announced that Arafah day (Wukuf day) would fall on Sept 11 (Sunday) and on the following day Aidiladha would be celebrated.

The date was set after the Saudi government declared tomorrow as 1 Zulhijjah 1437 Hijrah.