VIRGINIA (United States): Mohamad Alif Mursyid Husry and Mohamad Fadhilah Al-Hakam Othman will never forget the day they arrived in the United States on the third day of Ramadan this year.
This is because, almost immediately, the two young Imams from Malaysia were given the task of leading the Isyak and Tarawih prayers at the McLean Islamic Centre in Falls Church here.
The duo, both 21, are among the five students of the Pahang State Maahad Tahfiz (MTNP) in Kuantan, sent by Yayasan Pahang to participate in its Kembara Ramadan (Ramadan Roadshow) to Australia, Sweden and the United States.
In the United States, they would live with the Muslim community in the Washington and Northern Virginia areas for 25 days.
"The first day we arrived at the centre, we were task with becoming the imam and lead the congregation comprising Americans, South Americans and people from the Middle East to perform Isyak, Tarawih and Witir prayers," Mohamad Alif Mursyid, who holds a Diploma in Tahfiz Al-Quran and Qiraat, told Bernama.
The eldest of three, Mohamad Alif Mursyid said, at first, he was slightly nervous at carrying out the task due to the different environment and members of the congregation.
"You could see the joy in the faces of the congregation after the centre's board member Dr Maqsood Chaudry announced that they will be joined by two young imams from Malaysia. They applauded and immediately asked us to lead the prayers.
"We carry the country's name, so whatever happens, the purpose of us being here and preaching Islam must be achieved," Mohamad Alif Mursyid said.
The two young imams were also invited to lead the Malaysian Muslim congregation to perform the Maghrib, Isyak and Tarawih prayers at breaking-of-fast events held almost every Friday at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC.
On other days, they would lead the prayers held in the homes of Malaysian Embassy officials or those from other Malaysian agencies in the town of Vienna in Virginia, as well as in Falls Church.
Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussain said Yayasan Pahang's Ramadan Roadshow was very beneficial to Malaysian Muslims here.
"These young imams not only led the prayers, but also gave Fardu Ain classes to Malaysian students in Washington and Virginia every weekend in Ramadan," he said.
He said the duo had also led the prayers held at the office of Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
On his part, Mohamad Fadhilah Al-Hakam, the son of a settler in Felda Lepar Utara, Jerantut, Pahang, said the experience of being the imam on the first night here was very challenging.
However, the young imam who holds a Diploma Tahfiz Al-Quran and Syariah said after the initial shock on the first few days, they have now adjusted to the new environment. -- BERNAMA