JEDDAH: THE irony is not lost on me as I make my way to the Holy Land of Mecca.
Performing the haj is the dream of all Muslims — a requirement, as one of the pillars of Islam, when a believer has the means.
I can’t ever profess to being pious. In my heart of hearts, being “invited” to Allah’s house is an overwhelming and humbling gift.
I get to visit Him despite my transgressions and shortcomings when there are so many others whom I think are more deserving than me. “Kuasa Allah siapa yang tahu (who knows Allah’s plans),” so says my mother. Every year, only a handful of Muslims get to perform the haj. This year, only around 22,320 get to go.
On Tabung Haji’s burgeoning waiting list are a staggering 2.3 million Malaysians. It is a great blessing to get the chance to perform the haj, as one can never really tell when he gets to go. Allahu Akhbar.
Malaysians, by any standard, are a privileged lot. The pilgrimage costs RM18,890 per head but, because Tabung Haji provides a subsidy of RM8,910, each pilgrim pays only RM9,980.
Tabung Haji can boast about having among the best facilities and system. Malaysian pilgrims are also regarded as among the most respected for their discipline and compliance. A story often told to Malaysians is one about a Masjidil Haram imam who had implored in his sermon for all pilgrims to emulate Malaysians.
Mecca also holds special significance for me as my late bapak had passed away here while performing his umrah in 2001.
Cikgu Ya (short for Yahaya), as he was known during his years as a teacher at the boarding school SM Izzuddin Shah in Ipoh before he was made a nazir (overseer) of religious schools with the Perak Religious Department, was a staunch believer in sticking to basic good values.
I miss my bapak and hope to visit his grave for the first time. I can’t lie. This is an emotional trip for me, as I am sure it is for all who are here, albeit in different ways.
Coming at a time when there is heightened attention on Islam, I hope my jottings will give a little bit of insight into the teachings of Islam from the viewpoint of a moderate Muslim.
The second batch of the support team, including from the media, arrived safely here yesterday evening before being given a briefing at Wisma Tabung Haji and feted to a nasi minyak dinner served on trays and eaten in small groups comprising other volunteers.
They were greeted by Tabung Haji consul Datuk Redhuan Sabaruddin and his deputy, Mohd Zazawi Mostam, who also held a briefing on preparations to welcome the pilgrims, who will start arriving on Aug 4.
At around 1am local time (or 6am Malaysian time) yesterday, the media team made a five-hour bus journey to Madinah.
This is where the iconic Masjid Nabawi, which holds the tombs of Prophet Muhammad and his caliphs, Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq and Umar al-Khattab, is situated.
The mosque is known worldwide for its beauty, and inside, among others, is the rawdah. Muslims believe this is among the best places to recite the doa and is an extension of paradise.
There will also be historical site visits throughout the journey and New Straits Times, being the first English newspaper to join the Tabung Haji media entourage, will chronicle the trip for our readers.