Kuala Lumpur:The requirement for prospective pilgrims to have at least RM15,000 in savings before accepting an offer to perform the haj has helped Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) reduce the number of those turning down the offer, stated Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Marhamah expressed that the savings requirement is a positive step towards ensuring that pilgrims are financially prepared for the pilgrimage. This has led to a significant drop in the number of people declining their haj offers, thereby preventing TH from having to repeat the offer process.

Marhamah emphasized the importance of achieving istito'ah, which involves financial capability, good health, and other necessary preparations, to ensure readiness for performing the haj. She mentioned that TH's Seruan Istito'ah initiative has long been raising awareness about the need for financial preparation.

Furthermore, Marhamah addressed claims on social media about missing savings of a depositor, urging the public to seek clarification from TH and verify such claims before making conclusions. She assured that TH is taking necessary measures to safeguard depositors' savings.

In a related context, Marhamah highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the syariah judicial system by expediting work processes and reducing case backlogs. However, she cautioned that AI recommendations should be balanced with human judgement, especially when the welfare of parties involved in a case is concerned.

The National Convention on AI and Islamic Judiciary 2026 concluded with 10 resolutions, including the development of guidelines and policies for AI use in syariah courts and among legal practitioners.