MECCA: Preparations in the three Masyair areas that form an integral part of the haj ritual are on schedule.
Tabung Haji Haj delegation head Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, who paid a visit to the areas yesterday, said preparations were 20 per cent completed.
“We visited the tent sites for our pilgrims in Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah, and also the jamrah (stoning) area and found that things are on schedule.
“The preparations are 20 per cent completed. The steel structures for the tents in Arafah are being erected.
“These, and water and power supplies, will be up and running by 2 or 3 Zulhijjah (Sept 3 or 4).”
The actual date, however, would only be determined once the Saudi government announces on what day 1 Zulhijjah falls.
Syed Saleh said some of the air-conditioning sets at the tent area in Mina were being upgraded.
“Our pilgrims will perform the jamrah on the third floor, just like last year.
“The tent areas in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina are the same as last year. This makes it easy for us.
“The tents were near the border of the exit from Arafah to Mina. This allowed easy flow for our buses from Arafah straight to Muzdalifah and Mina.”
Syed Saleh said with 13 days to wukuf, there would be ample time to complete all the facilities.
Masyair is the area outside Makkah where the haj starts with the wukuf in Arafah, staying the night or passing by Muzdalifah and performing the jamrah in Mina before re-entering Mecca to perform the tawaf, saie and tahlul to complete the haj ritual.