HAJ PILGRIMS WILL ENJOY BETTER FACILITIES

MECCA, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Pilgrims' Fund (Tabung Haji) is
confident that haj pilgrims, particularly Malaysians, will enjoy better
facilities this season as the Saudi Arabian government has upgraded
infrastructure in the holy land.

Malaysian haj deputy delegation head Kamaruddin Ali said lots of
improvement had been done at ritual areas like wukuf (standing) in Arafah,
stoning the jamrah (devil symbol) in Mudzalifah and the overnight stay in Mina.

He said a pedestrian passage had been built in Arafah, complete with tents
and a special passage for the ambulance.

"The pedestrian passage will allow pilgrims who are saddled with luggage to
move faster. This was not available during the last haj season," he told the
media after visiting the haj ritual areas here Tuesday.

Kamaruddin said Tabung Haji was still waiting for word from the Saudi
Arabian government on where Malaysia haj pilgrims would be placed in Arafah.

However, as in previous seasons, Malaysian pilgrims would be placed with
those from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and China.
-- BERNAMA