MAKKAH, 14 January 2004 — Enhancing the Haj awareness of pilgrims is one of the main objectives of Tabung Haji — the pilgrim’s fund or TH — Malaysia’s celebrated Haj organization, says Mohammed Salleh Abd Mubin, the country’s Haj consul.
As a result, Malaysian pilgrims often stand out as the most disciplined and most organized in comparison to those from other countries.
“Guidance for pilgrims is our strong point. All our pilgrims must pass three levels of Haj guidance,” Abd Mubin told Arab News.
Over the years TH has become a synonym for better Haj management. An average of 30,000 Malaysians register with TH every year for Haj, he said.
The consul emphasized the need for a service provider such as Tabung Haji since the majority of Malaysia’s pilgrims are traveling abroad for the first time.
More than two million Muslims are expected for this year’s Haj with Malaysia sending 25,000.
Launched some years ago to aid the Malaysian rural economy and enable Muslims to perform Haj, TH has become one of the world’s greatest cooperative success stories.
Established in November 1962, Tabung Haji has gained international recognition for its competitive, quality services.
“The organization provides weekly courses to prospective pilgrims in the first four months, followed by a three-day intensive course,” Abd Mubin said. Pilgrims are taught how to perform Haj rituals and make personal preparations.
A practical course with the aid of models is given before the pilgrims attend a 24-hour final course.
The public media, including state radio television and newspapers, also play a role in the awareness campaign by broadcasting special programs and publishing articles concerning Haj and Islam.
Crowd management during peak Haj days is a major challenge. “We always advise our pilgrims to avoid overcrowded areas and not to select peak hours to perform their Haj rituals,” the consul said.
TH offers its pilgrims the best available accommodation and medical services in Makkah. It has seven clinics and six ambulance vans.
Malaysian pilgrims are happy with TH’s services. Abdul Haleem ibn Hassan, assistant education director in the state of Kedah, has come for Haj with his wife Asleena Abu Qasim.
“So far so good,” Hassan said, commending TH’s services. “They are doing a great job,” Asleena added. They were staying at Habeeba Hotel, one of the best in the city.
“Tabung Haji also fulfills the role of an institutional investor and takes part in the country’s economic development,” Abd Mubin pointed out.
The organization has invested its funds in different projects. Profits from these ventures are distributed among depositors in the form of dividends.
“The number of depositors in the fund has reached four million,” he said and lauded the enthusiastic support received by the organization from both government and people.
Last year TH distributed 3.25 percent in dividends. “Dividends depend on the world economic situation and performance of projects,” he said. “We have distributed dividends up to nine percent in the past,” he added.
“We allow pilgrims to withdraw their savings in the fund while in Makkah to buy what they want,” the consul said.
TH was originally conceived as a simple savings scheme to enable villagers to save money to be used for Haj. The institution has now developed far beyond that and its assets are estimated at more than 10 billion ringgit.
Its towering headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, once the tallest building in Malaysia, speaks volumes for the organization’s success.
