MECCA: There have been two more deaths among Malaysian haj pilgrims, bringing the total of deaths to seven on Wednesday (June 4), says Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said that the two pilgrims - Siti Hawa Ibrahim, 64, from Terengganu and Abdul Hakim Awang, 76, from Kedah - passed away after being warded at Saudi Arabia hospitals.
"Siti Hawa passed away due to a heart attack while Abdul Hakim died from a lung infection. Tabung Haji will do the necessary to assist their next of kin and arrange their haj affairs," said Mohd Na'im.
Earlier, Mohd Na'im met Malaysian pilgrims who were leaving for the plains of Mount Arafat to perform their Wukuf on the Day of Arafat.
Performing Wukuf on the Day of Arafat is a key ritual of the haj.
This year, the Day of Arafat falls on Thursday (June 5).
About 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims would join about 2 million other pilgrims to gather on the plains of Mount Arafat and spend the day supplicating and praying.
"The movement of Malaysian haj pilgrims began at 6:30am, according to the schedule set by Al Masiah (Masyarik) and Tabung Haji. Pilgrims moved in stages, to ensure an orderly and comfortable journey.
"The distance from Makkah to Arafat is 20km and takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Tabung Haji and Saudi company Al Masiah estimate that the entire operation of transporting pilgrims to Arafah will take between six to eight hours.
"A total of 80 ill and elderly haj pilgrims will perform the wukuf ritual at the plains of Arafat through the 'Safari Wukuf' programme starting tomorrow.
"Eight specially modified buses, with seats converted into bed-like arrangements, will be used to transport these pilgrims," said Mohd Na'im.
The Saudi government has issued a lockdown on pilgrims on the Day of Arafat between 10am and 4pm due to the extreme hot weather to avoid heatstroke and deaths.
Pilgrims are told to stay in their tents and not walk to any holy sites during the midday.
The temperatures have risen above 47°C in the past few days and are expected to go beyond 50°C.
