Makkah: Malaysian pilgrims for the 1446H/2025M haj season are advised not to easily believe any information related to the pilgrimage, including its rituals and procedures, that is shared on social media. Instead, they are urged to refer to the official media channels of the Pilgrims Fund Board or Tabung Haji (TH).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, TH Media Operations Director Mohamad Naser Jaafar emphasized the importance of this measure to ensure pilgrims receive accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information regarding haj operations and pilgrim movements throughout the season. With the abundance of social media platforms today, pilgrims and Malaysians are advised to rely only on verified media channels for accurate and timely updates. This includes information via the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), TV Alhijrah, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), and TH’s official social media.
Mohamad Naser assured that comprehensive coverage and the latest information will always be provided by TH, including on pilgrim movements, worship, guidance, logistics, as well as health and safety aspects throughout the haj season. Regarding the media coverage for this year’s haj season, he mentioned that it would span 52 days, covering the entire journey of the Malaysian pilgrims, from their departure to the Holy Land until their return home. This includes coverage while pilgrims are at key locations such as Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.
He further noted that the peak of the coverage would be on the day of wukuf, expected to fall on June 5, which corresponds to the 9th of Zulhijjah. After the completion of the main haj rituals and procedures, the team’s focus will shift to covering the pilgrims’ return to Malaysia, which is expected to take place within a week after the peak haj is completed.
According to Mohamad Naser, a total of 19 TH media personnel, including 14 media practitioners, had completed their first umrah upon arriving in Makkah after traveling eight hours from Madinah and making their miqat at Bir Ali. He described the experience as meaningful and humbling, with the media operation in Makkah continuing with a more structured strategy, focusing on comprehensive coverage and touching on various important aspects of the haj.
Meanwhile, Head of Sinar Harian Social Media Unit Nur Farhana Abdul Manan expressed her surprise at being selected as one of the TH media officers for this haj season. Having been in service for 19 years, she described the opportunity as the most meaningful birthday gift in her life. She shared her awe of being in the Holy Land of Makkah, feeling like entering a different world filled with peace and serenity. Seeing the Kaaba for the first time was a deeply moving experience for her, having only seen it in pictures before.