The Lembaga Tabung Haji’s Customer Service Unit has rescued 186 Malaysian pilgrims who lost their way after performing prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca between Sept 26 and Oct 2.

Its manager, Rahmat Baba, said it was normal for elderly pilgrims above 60 who had just set foot in Mecca to lose their way.

“Some young Malaysian pilgrims also helped elderly pilgrims to get back to their hotels.

“Tabung Haji deploys a patrol team made up of 13 members who are stationed at strategic places in the Grand Mosque round the clock to assist pilgrims.

“They are working hand in hand with patrol teams from India, Indonesia and other countries to help pilgrims who couldn’t find the way back to their hotels,” he told the Malaysian media in Mecca today.

Rahmat said most of the lost pilgrims could not find their way back to their hotels after the Zohor (afternoon) prayer as they allegedly became disoriented due to the scorching heat.

- Bernama