‘BUILD RAPPORT WITH ROOMMATES’
They are first line of defence, says TH
MALAYSIAN pilgrims have been advised to keep an eye on their roommates when in the Holy Land, as this strategy is the first line of defence in ensuring each other’s safety and wellbeing.
Pilgrims are segregated according to gender in accommodation buildings here, so couples and many family members do not share the same rooms. Their roommates are often people they have just met.
Maktab 87 manager Khairoddin Ahmad said it was important for pilgrims to get to know their roommates and to report to Tabung Haji staff if anything untoward occurred.
He said they played a significant role in providing comfort and support.
“During the crane crash in 2015, it was through this roommate network that we tracked down who was missing among Malaysians. We went from room to room to check who did not return from the mosque.
“One pilgrim who lost her husband in the catastrophe pulled herself together and proceeded with her haj thanks to the support of her roommates.
“In the Holy Land, your roommates are the ones closest to you. They are also the people you talk to and lean on,” Khairoddin told Malaysian journalists at the Rehab Janadriyah accommodation building. For this year’s haj season, Malaysian pilgrims are grouped into 12 maktabs.
“Before the pilgrims arrive, all the rooms are checked and maktab offices should be operational.
“The respective maktab managers will ensure accommodation, catering and financial services are ready,” Khairoddin said.
He said there had been minimal reports lodged by pilgrims at his maktab thus far, with most related to lost identification tags.
“We have had reports from pilgrims being unable to find their way back from the mosque.”
He advised pilgrims not to bring too many valuables and too much money with them when they move around here.
This, he added, was because lost items would affect their focus on religious obligations.
“They should always carry their satchels in front of them. When they pray, their bags should be placed in front of them,” he said, adding that pilgrims should move around in groups.
He cautioned pilgrims to be careful of people who approached them at their accommodation buildings offering all kinds of services.
“When pilgrims arrive at the maktab, we introduce them to all TH staff. They are told if they are approached by anyone for anything at all aside from TH staff, they need to be cautious and report the matter to us.”