‘Sahabat Maktab’ volunteers ready to help fellow pilgrims

MAKKAH: Malaysian haj pilgrims have the opportunity to get involved as volunteers to help Tabung Haji (TH) in its operations, hence gaining extra rewards during their pilgrimage.

Through the programme dubbed “Sahabat Maktab” or Friends of Maktab, suitable and qualified pilgrims were appointed by TH with the main objectives to support TH in helping fellow pilgrims in terms of wellbeing, religious guidance and medical attention.

Maktab 74 manager Mustafa Kamal Abdul Latif said the volunteers comprised mostly those with medical and religious backgrounds.

“The application to become Sahabat Maktab was opened during the Perdana Haj Course in Malaysia. The screening of the candidates was done here,” he told reporters after the appointment of volunteers and the launch of Sahabat Maktab programme yesterday.

For this year, TH had appointed over 300 volunteers for the programme to facilitate the Malaysian pilgrims housed at 12 TH maktabs (pilgrims accommodation).

“For each maktab, we will have 30 Sahabat Maktab with different backgrounds,” he said.

Among the criteria considered for the appointment of the Sahabat Maktab was the applicants’ level of volunteerism, which would be assessed from their participation in non-profit and non-governmental charitable programmes.