TH to take pilgrims to Mecca on 'first come first serve' basis
The first flight to Mecca starts on June 4
KUALA LUMPUR - Over 1 million Haj pilgrims will be allowed to enter Saudi with the first flight scheduled to leave on June 4, said Tabung Haji Executive Director Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said.
He said the selection for pilgrims are made based on the 'first come first serve' based as they will prioritise applications made in 2020 followed by 2021.
"We are almost done with the selection of pilgrims for this although the announcement was made quite late.
"We also have received over 60,000 appeals," Syed Saleh during a press conference at Menara TH Tun Abdul Razak, here. today.
The Haj preparation includes a Haj course starting May 15 to 29 at the main mosque nationwide," he said, adding that the course will be held for a day with specified SOPs.
"The course is usually held for two days, but due to the current circumstances we will reduce it to one day to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection," he added.
The briefing will also be held virtually and simultaneously nationwide on May 30 for two hours on health, registration and the services in Mecca.
"As for the services in Mecca, Tabung Haji has decided to keep the same services and facilities as the previous Haj sessions despite facing setbacks due to Covid-19.
"The Saudi government has also agreed to resume the project dubbed 'Mekah Route' in which the immigration and customs processes will be made in KLIA," he told the reporters.
This, he said, is to reduce the burden of pilgrims and reduce the processing time which will take 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Adding more, he said pilgrims baggage will be managed by the agency.
Tabung Haji will launch three applications called THhuijaj, E-penerangan and E-Taib while Saudi will launch two applications called Eatmarna and Tawakalna.
To ease the process of accepting pilgrims in Mecca, Syed Saleh said TH is sending out a team in stages from May 28 onwards.
The weather in Mecca is now at 50 degree celsius and and is yet to reach its peak, he said.
