Mecca: Plush camel toys hanging in shops around Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) are not just ordinary souvenirs, but among the 'early travellers' preparing to head back to Malaysia, as many haj pilgrims begin sending home their gifts ahead of the peak of the pilgrimage. The plush toy, closely associated with the Holy Land, is among the most common items, along with dates, robes, and other souvenirs for their families back home.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the luggage and parcel delivery service coordinated by Tabung Haji has increased, recording 133 tonnes of shipments in the first 22 days of operations. Assistant Manager of the Masyair Unit, External Services, Mohd Roshidi Loman, noted that an average of five tonnes of items are sent daily, with expectations for this figure to rise ahead of the day of Arafah (wukuf) next week.

"Most pilgrims are now trying to travel lighter before the Masyair phase (peak phase of the pilgrimage), so they are sending their items early to focus more on their worship," he explained. "Selangor has recorded the highest usage of the delivery service so far," he told reporters recently.

Mohd Roshidi projected that total shipments this season could reach 400 tonnes, up from about 300 tonnes last year. For the 1447H/2026M haj season, Tabung Haji has appointed five logistics companies to handle pilgrims' belongings, namely MASkargo Logistics Sdn Bhd, FGV Transport Services Sdn Bhd, TH Travel and Services Sdn Bhd, KTH Logistics Sdn Bhd, and Pos Malaysia Berhad.

These companies were selected after a comprehensive assessment, including their operational capacity in the Holy Land and Malaysia, as well as their tracking systems, to ensure each shipment is properly monitored. Tabung Haji has also established standard rates for all companies at RM18 per kg for shipments to Peninsular Malaysia and RM23 per kg for Sabah and Sarawak.

Mohd Roshidi reminded pilgrims to use only companies appointed by Tabung Haji to avoid any issues, such as loss or damage of their belongings. "Pilgrims are also not allowed to send certain items, such as Zamzam water, without specific permission from Tabung Haji," he stated.

He added that delivery to Malaysia takes between seven and 21 days and, so far, no additional taxes have been imposed on shipments of belongings belonging to Malaysian haj pilgrims.