Elderly get assistance during ‘masyair’
MECCA: Tabung Haji’s (TH) Counselling Unit will provide personalised assistance to 43 aged pilgrims during the crucial masyair phase of the haj pilgrimage through its Elderly Pilgrims Programme.
The programme, in its 13th year, provides one-on-one attention to selected elderly pilgrims who do not have a relative to help them, or cannot care for themselves.
“We get a list of pil- grims from the maktabs. The medical team will have a list of recommendations, and elderly pilgrims can request to be in the programme,” TH Counselling Unit manager Fauziah Ahmad said.
Candidates are shortlisted via interviews conducted by medical, religious and counselling representatives. They are assessed on their cognitive and physical capacity, and ability to manage themselves.
This year, 22 men and 21 women have been selected for the programme.
Fauziah said the pilgrims would be collected at their maktabs and transferred to Abraj Al-Janadriyah, TH’s headquarters here, where they would stay before departing to Arafah.
“At Arafah, we have separate tents for these pilgrims and specialised activities, including prayer, Quran recitation, zikir and light exercises.”
At the end of the masyair and upon completion of their haj, the pilgrims would be sent back to their maktabs.
“At the Counselling Unit, we hope that by providing special care to elderly pilgrims, they will stay healthy and complete their haj,” Fauziah said.