Mecca: The Pilgrims Fund Board, known as Tabung Haji (TH), has affirmed its commitment to ensuring that visually impaired pilgrims are fully supported during this year’s haj, with a particular focus on facilitating their participation in the essential rite of wukuf in Arafah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, announced that 11 visually impaired pilgrims are currently in the Holy Land for the annual pilgrimage. These pilgrims will be accompanied by trained support personnel to ensure their successful completion of the pilgrimage.

Dr Mohd Na’im stated, “TH staff, including sahabat maktab (pilgrim companions), are fully prepared to prioritize the needs of disabled pilgrims. This is about ensuring they too can achieve haji mabrur (a fulfilling and accepted haj).” He made these remarks during a meet-and-greet event with Malaysian pilgrims.

In a move towards greater inclusion, the minister also unveiled a Braille version of the Haj and Umrah guidebook. This initiative is a collaboration between TH, the Ibn Ummi Maktum Research Centre (UMMI) of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and the Malaysian Islamic Association for the Visually Impaired (PERTIS). Dr Mohd Na’im praised TH for this significant effort, noting that the guidebook will greatly benefit visually impaired pilgrims and may inspire others waiting for their opportunity to perform the haj.

He further assured that any additional support required by disabled pilgrims would be promptly provided to ensure smooth access to services throughout the pilgrimage.

As preparations continue for wukuf, considered the pinnacle of the haj, scheduled for this Thursday (June 5), the minister emphasized the importance of health among all pilgrims. “Haj cannot be completed without wukuf in Arafah. We want no one to miss it due to illness in the final 24 hours,” he cautioned.

Among this year’s visually impaired pilgrims is Nai’mah Mansor, 64, a retired schoolteacher from Kuala Terengganu. She lost her sight completely two years ago after being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in her youth and later glaucoma at 55. Despite her blindness, she has mastered Quranic Braille and now teaches it to others. “I never missed a single day of practice, even if just for an hour. Maybe that’s why I picked it up quickly,” she shared.