MADINAH, The active participation and outstanding ability of Malaysian students in Madinah to act as Muzawwir (tour guide) for Malaysian pilgrims during haj season is no secret. In fact, these young Muzawwir, most of whom are students of the Islamic University of Madinah, have also been praised not only for their ability to handle the visiting programme, but also for providing the pilgrims with detailed explanations of the Sirah of the Prophet, the history of Madinah and the places they visit - almost as good as experienced Mutawwif (haj/umrah guide). One of them, second-year student Nik Muhammad Muaz Nik Mohd Noor, 24, said that basically, Muzawwir is responsible for assisting Malaysian haj pilgrims during their visit to historical places around the Holy City of Madinah, as organised by Tabung Haji (TH). Nik Muhammad Muaz, who is also the Visiting Programme director, said a total of 88 students of the Islamic University of Madinah, 60 per cent of whom are seniors, were selected as Muzawwir this year. 'T hese students have undergone a series of screening processes to determine their eligibility, in terms of academic performance, Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), language and communication skills. Some of them also have experience of being Mutawwif,' he told reporters here. In preparing and enhancing the capability of the selected Muzawwir, Nik Muhammad Muaz said they were compelled to attend two courses, as well as field trips, to familiarise themselves with the places before guiding the pilgrims there. The Pekan-born student said that the opportunity given by TH to the students indirectly enabled them to share their knowledge of the Sirah (prophetic biography) and improve their communication and soft skills while interacting with the pilgrims. 'Most of the Muzawwir are keen to share their knowledge of the Sirah of Prophet Muhammad, which we believe the pilgrims would enjoy and appreciate,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Madani Jalaludin, 24, a fourth-year student from Temerloh, Pahang, said the students of the Islamic University of Madinah were indeed well known for their Mutawif and Muzawwir services. 'It is probably due to the fact that we are studying here in Madinah, so we are able to provide extra information that sometimes not many people know. 'I hope to give my best service to the haj pilgrims from our beloved country, Malaysia. We have indeed selected and lined up the best Muzawwir to assist this year's haj pilgrims,' said Ahmad Madani, who is also the deputy director of the visiting programme. Source: BERNAMA News Agency