MECCA: “Syok (very happy).” This earnest response from chubby Faqri Iskandar Amran, the youngest Malaysian pilgrim to perform haj at 11 this year, elicited laughter as he faced the Malaysian media at a press conference in Raudhat Al Shorouq Hotel yesterday.
An initially nervous Faqri, overheard telling his father that he did not realise there were going to be “so many people”, overcame his jitters and captivated the press with his honest replies.
“I am very happy. I have never been to Mecca before. I am really grateful. I am elated to see the Kaabah,” he said when asked about his feelings.
Despite his tender age, Faqri, who intermittently grabbed his father’s hand, was clear on what he wanted in his doa (prayers).
“I pray for the wellbeing and health of all Malaysians, for my own wellbeing and to pass my exams.”
Faqri, who came with his father Amran Mohd Ali, 51, mother Norlaila Ismail, 47, and sister Nor Alia Syafiqa, 16, is a Year Five pupil at SK AU3 in Keramat.
His father, a putu piring pasar malam trader in Kuala Lumpur, and mother, a teacher at a private Islamic school, had saved up for a long time.
Norlaila, the daughter of a Felda settler and an accounting graduate from Australia, had also earned side income from selling acar buah (fruit pickle).
Nor Alia is studying at a tahfiz school in Negri Sembilan and the family stays in Bukit Antarabangsa.
Amran and Norlaila had dreamt of performing haj with their whole family and had registered with Tabung Haji (TH) in 2005.
TH had initially allowed just the three to perform haj, but Amran and Norlaila appealed as they wanted to fulfil their dream.
Leaving Faqri behind would be a problem as there would be no one tending to him.
“Alhamdulillah (praise to Allah), our prayers have been answered,” added Amran, who said his challenge, at times, was to wake Faqri up for Subuh prayers. They share a room here.
Faqri said he was thankful to his Abi and Ummi (father and mother in Arabic) for bringing him to Mecca.
“I am very grateful to be here. I will doa for all friends and all Malay-sians.”
His sister, who shed tears when narrating her feelings, said being able to perform haj at a young age was a true blessing.
“Nothing beats the feeling of experiencing haj personally.
“All this while, the haj has been part of my studies.
“It is a blessing to perform haj while I am young, as there is no telling how long we will live in this world,” said Nor Alia, who struggled to contain her tears as she said this.
She said she prayed for everybody’s wellbeing and for her schoolmates to do well in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams next year.