MAKKAH: Family members of pilgrims, especially the elderly, who are travelling alone in the Holy Land can now breathe a sigh of relief when the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) introduces the ‘Prihatin Tetamu Ar Rahman’, a companion initiative, to help these pilgrims during the peak of the haj in Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifah.
Hajj counselling manager Mohamad Hanif Napi said through the initiative, selected pilgrims will be given assistance including going to the bathroom in addition to performing worship.
“Among the categories we set for selection in the companion initiative are for pilgrims aged 70 and above, travelling alone and from the health aspect, they are not bedridden or chronically ill,” he told reporters here.
He said his team will screen the nominations prepared by the management of the pilgrim accommodations before the interview session conducted by the panel to select the participants.
According to him, a panel, consisting of medical experts, Holy Land Pilgrimage Guides (Pihtas) and counsellors, is expected to select the participants on June 19.
In the meantime, Mohamad Hanif said TH also implemented ‘Silaturrahim’ visits, from room to room, as an initiative to manage the mental health of pilgrims who are facing problems with their roommates or issues involving married couples.
He added that TH has also introduced a self-expression section by providing drawing and colouring papers and stress balls as therapy for pilgrims. – BERNAMA
