MECCA: Malaysia once again made history when it became the first country to be invited by the Saudi Arabian government to choose the time to perform the “stoning of the devil” ritual.
Malaysian Haj Delegation head Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the advantage allowed Malaysia to choose between 8pm and 10pm for the ritual, which would provide comfort as the daytime weather could reach over 50°C.“Malaysia is the first country to be asked and given priority to choose.
“When in talks with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, they just accept whatever time we choose and it has been sealed in an agreement between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia,” he explained.
“The schedule chosen is in accordance with the pilgrims and our haj operation schedule.
“This is a good thing because we are given priority... other countries will probably go in the morning, noon and afternoon while we will go in the evening.”
He said this to reporters after visiting the locations of Malaysian pilgrims in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, reported Bernama.
Previously, Malaysia made history when it became the first country to receive a permit to operate a medical centre in Saudi Arabia.
It was also listed among the five countries that participated in the “Mecca Route”.
Syed Saleh said on the 13th of Zulhijjah, some pilgrims would throw stones in the early morning after dawn prayers to avoid congestion and untoward incidents.
“This year, if the wuquf ritual (assembly on the Arafah plain) falls on Friday, we will start deploying staff on the 7th of Zulhijjah (July 6).
“They will leave at night to make preparations to receive the Malaysian pilgrims, who will start moving early in the morning on Thursday (July 7),” said Syed Saleh.
“The movement of pilgrims involving 17 buses will start at 7am. We hope the movement from Mecca to Arafah will go smoothly.
“On the 10th of Zulhijjah, they will move to Muzdalifah after maghrib prayers to join the rituals until close to midnight at 11.45pm.
“After that, the pilgrims will move from Muzdalifah to Mina and stay there for three days starting on the 10th of Zulhijjah.
“Some pilgrims will return early and others will stay on until the 13th of Zulhijjah,” he said.
The Saudi Arabian government began moon sightings yesterday to determine whether the month of Zulhijjah will begin on June 30 or July 1.
