MAKKAH, April 30 (Bernama) — The Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) is for the first time providing a 24-hour free shuttle bus service from accommodation hotels to the Masjidil Haram, effective today. Malaysian Head of Haj Delegation Mohd Hisham Harun said that eight buses have been specifically allocated for Malaysian pilgrims as a value-added enhancement to the agency’s comprehensive services. He noted that the service covers the route from the Abraj Al Tayseer Hotel to the Jarwal Bus Station, which is located near the Masjidil Haram. “Using these buses can shorten travel time from approximately a 30-minute walk to just around […]

MAKKAH, April 23 (Bernama) — Amid the gathering of millions of people and the complexity of pilgrimage movements, the Muhsen application has emerged as a new ‘lifeline’ helping Malaysian haj pilgrims perform their rituals in a calmer and more organised manner. Through the Muhsen application, haj pilgrims can obtain services from appointed individuals tasked with assisting them. Head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation Mohd Hisham Harun said Muhsen plays an important role in ensuring the smooth movement of the pilgrims during the haj season. “Muhsen helps ensure that the movement of our pilgrims from Makkah to Arafah, and subsequently to […]

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in Malaysia who intend to perform the Hajj next year are reminded to be careful of the modus operandi of visa fraud which is increasingly being practiced by irresponsible companies. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, said fraud commonly occurs when Mujamalah or Furada visas are issued outside the management of Tabung Haji (TH). “It usually happens when a Mujamalah or Furada visa is issued without the knowledge of Tabung Haji. At that time, fraudulent operations began to be carried out by companies with malicious intentions to deceive pilgrims,” ​​he told […]

Background: Wearable sensor bracelets have gained interest for their ability to detect symptomatic and presymptomatic infections through alterations in physiological indicators. Nevertheless, the use of these devices for public health surveillance among attendees of large-scale events such as hajj, the Islamic religious mass gathering held in Saudi Arabia, is currently in a nascent phase. Objective: This study aimed to explore hajj stakeholders’ perspectives on the use of wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection. Methods: We conducted a qualitative, theoretically informed, interview-based study from March 2022 to October 2023 involving a diverse sample of hajj stakeholders, including technology experts, health care providers, and hajj service providers. The study was guided by the task-technology fit model and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the acceptance and use of the technology. Semistructured in-depth interviews were used to capture perspectives on using wearable sensor bracelets for infectious disease detection during hajj. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted. Results: A total of 14 individuals were interviewed. In total, 4 main themes and 13 subthemes emerged from the study, highlighting crucial challenges, considerations, recommendations, and opportunities in the use of wearable sensor bracelets for the presymptomatic detection of infectious diseases during hajj. Implementing wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj faces obstacles from multiple perspectives, encompassing users, implementing stakeholders, and technological factors. Hajj stakeholders were concerned about the substantial financial and operational barriers. The motivation of implementing stakeholders and users is essential for the acceptance and uptake of devices during hajj. Successful integration of wearables into the hajj surveillance system depends on several factors, including infrastructure, device features, suitable use cases, training, and a smooth organizational integration process. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of adopting wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj. It offers essential factors to consider and important suggestions to enhance comprehension and ensure the effective implementation of this technology.

Hajj pilgrimage sees 30-year low attendance (excluding COVID-19 period) with only 1,673,230 pilgrims...

SEPANG: Dedicated assistance from staff and comprehensive religious guidance throughout the pilgrimage have earned Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. high praise from Malaysian pilgrims returning from this year’s hajj season. One of the pilgrims, Noorwian Abdul Ghani, 51, said she and her husband completed their 45-day pilgrimage with confidence and peace of mind thanks … The post Pilgrims Commend Andalusia’s Service, Spiritual Guidance and Dedicated Support During Hajj first appeared on Wilayah.com.my.