MECCA: A Braille manual has been launched to assist vision-impaired haj pilgrims during their pilgrimage.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that the manual on how to perform various rituals of the haj will enable blind and vision-impaired pilgrims to understand the do's and don'ts and be more independent.
He said this to the Malaysian media after launching the Braille haj manual here in Mecca at the Land Premium Hotel on Tuesday (June 3).
"There are 11 vision-impaired pilgrims among Malaysian pilgrims this year. This Braille haj manual will be an accompaniment to the Braille Quran, which the vision-impaired pilgrims are already using.
"With this manual, it is hoped that it will ease their pilgrimage, although Tabung Haji would still allow pilgrims with disabilities to have a companion when they get called up to perform haj.
"Tabung Haji has always ensured that their staff members assist all haj pilgrims, especially those who are vision-impaired.
"However, we will upgrade facilities for people with disabilities, such as providing Braille manuals, to enable them to perform the haj more comfortably," said Mohd Na'im.
He also advised pilgrims not to shy away from approaching Tabung Haji staff to seek any form of assistance.
Mohd Na'im further reminded the pilgrims to take care of their health and safety as they make their way to the plains of Mount Arafat, for Wukuf on the Day of Arafat (June 5), a key ritual of haj.
Vision-impaired pilgrim Na'imah Mansor, 64, said that a manual like this is very welcome as it helps her to be more independent.
About 31,600 Malaysians are among more than two million pilgrims who will perform the hajj in Mecca this year.
