Haj: Praise by Saudi Arabia meaningful for Malaysia - Idris

MAKKAH: The praise by Saudi Arabia on Tabung Haji's efficiency in handling the haj operation is very meaningful for Malaysia, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad.

He attributed the agency's record of excellence to continuous efforts that were made to further improve the process and close cooperation between its staff and Malaysian pilgrims.

"It is very gratifying when the Saudi Arabia Minister of Haj and Umrah, Dr Taufiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, expressed it in front of other Muslim leaders from various Islamic countries, and advised them to make Malaysia as an example," he told this to reporters after delivering a speech at the Grand Haj symposium at the Fairmont Hotel, here, yesterday.

He said the handling of haj pilgrims by Malaysia and Tabung Haji was also mentioned by panel members at the symposium.

For this year's haj pilgrimage, Malaysia is the first country to obtain a permit to operate a hospital in Saudi Arabia, the first country to choose the time to perform the 'stoning of the devil' ritual and among five countries selected for the Makkah Route programme.

Meanwhile, Idris, who spoke in Arabic, also shared about the role played by Tabung Haji over the past 59 years and on the agency's management model.

He also touched on measures taken by the agency in ensuring the pilgrims' health and their compliance with the instructions imposed by the Saudi Arabian government, as well as on its effort in developing digital applications for the use of pilgrims on the Holy Land.

-- BERNAMA