Colour lanyard for easy identification of Malaysian haj pilgrims

MAKKAH: Tabung Haji (TH) has introduced the use of colour lanyard on the name tag of haj pilgrims for easy identification of pilgrims following the increase in Malaysia's quota to 30,200 pilgrims this haj season.
Its deputy head of haj (welfare) for 1438H, Nurrin Anuwar Shamsuddin said the lanyard comes in different colours according to the pilgrims "maktab" (accommodation buildings) to help monitor their movement.
"Tabung Haji will also provide a special lanyard for the pilgrims who are first-time visitors to the holy city of Makkah.
"The lanyards will help the TH patrol unit at Masjidil Haram (Grand Mosque) to identify the pilgrims who stray from their groups," he told reporters at Makkah TH Headquarters at Hotel Abraj AlJanadriyah, here Saturday.
Malaysian haj pilgrims will be housed in 13 of the 24 accommodation buildings which are divided into five zones. This is an increase of nine accommodation buildings from last haj season.
Nurrin Anuwar said TH is fully prepared to welcome the arrival of Malaysian pilgrims in the holy land of Makkah and has been making preparation for two weeks involving infrastructure, welfare, and medical facilities.
Support services provided include a cafeteria, i-Talk telecommunication services operated by Telekom Malaysia and Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), wifi and internet in certain locations.
The first and second group Malaysian haj pilgrims comprising 278 and 470 pilgrims respectively, are expected to arrive in Makkah from KL International Airport (KLIA) at noon and afternoon, today.
Haj pilgrims have been advised to drink plenty of water and avoid being exposed to the hot weather as the haj season this season is expected to see temperatures of between 31 and 43°C.
TH is providing a patrol service at five or six stations around Masjidil Haram to assist the pilgrims commuting from the accommodation buildings to Masjidil Haram.
The patrol officers will help the pilgrims to find their way back to their accommodation buildings. Those who are sick or disabled can hail a taxi which charges between 1 and 2 SR (Saudi Riyal) (RM1.14 and RM2.28) — Bernama