MECCA: Malaysian haj pilgrims under emotional distress should seek out Tabung Haji (TH) counsellors who are qualified to help resolve their problems.
“Unfinished business can affect the pilgrim’s worship. We can talk to the pilgrims and alleviate the pressure on them,” TH Counselling manager Fauziah Ahmad told Malaysian media here recently.
She said pilgrims can talk to the counsellors in person or through the unit’s PEKA hotline. The counsellors also reach out to pilgrims via random visits to their rooms.
“The counsellors have found most pilgrims are well adjusted to the weather and their roommates. Some have health issues which can be addressed by the clinics at their respective accommodation.
“Haj pilgrims need to focus on the peak of haj that is coming (Wukuf in Arafah) and should prepare themselves physically and mentally for it,” Fauziah said.
The Counselling Unit has so far handled 16 cases in Mecca and 21 cases in Madinah. These involved, among others, problems adapting to roommates, disagreements between husband and wife, elderly mothers and their children, and insomnia.
“We also have immediate interventions in cases where there is a death of a spouse or relative. Alhamdulillah, most cases can be resolved in one or two sessions,” Fauziah said.
She said pilgrims need not worry about breach of confidentiality when speaking to the counsellors as they are bound by the profession’s code of ethics.