Minister Zulkifli confirms 2026 haj preparations are smooth, with first flight scheduled for April 18 and robust contingency plans in place
KUALA LUMPUR: Preparations for Malaysian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land for the 2026 haj season are proceeding smoothly and on schedule.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan confirmed the first flight is scheduled for April 18 as planned.
He stated that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has made better preparations this year compared to previous seasons. This assessment followed his recent official visit to Makkah and Madinah.
During the trip, he held a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah. The meeting was attended by numerous religious affairs ministers from around the world.
“Haj operations will proceed as planned,” Zulkifli said at a press conference. He added that very detailed planning has been carried out by the authorities.
The minister emphasised that TH also has a solid contingency plan to deal with any unforeseen changes. He expressed confidence in the plan’s ability to absorb potential disruptions.
“So far, discussions indicate that the contingency plan in place is capable of absorbing any changes that may occur,” he noted.
However, Zulkifli also expressed hope for a smooth pilgrimage season. He urged all pilgrims to follow the established plans for their journey.
“We pray that this year’s haj can be carried out smoothly and all pilgrims will follow the plans that have been set,” he concluded.
