SEPANG: Four Olympic medal-winning Paralympians who went to Mecca late last month to perform the umrah, safely arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Jeddah, today.
They were welcomed by DRB-Hicom group communications division head Mahmood Abdul Razak.
Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, who clinched a gold medal in the men's shot put F20 (intellectual disability) final at the Rio Paralympics, said the umrah trip was an extraordinary experience for him.
"I have been to many countries for various games, but Mecca is a different (place). It was peaceful and relaxing.
"It was a memorable experience to visit Masjid Nabawi, to perform the tawaf and prayers in front of the Kaabah with my wife and parents.
"During the umrah, I prayed for the wellbeing of my family and friends. I also prayed for my success in the sports field," he told reporters at the KLIA Arrival Hall here.
Abdul Latif Romly said the umrah trip had motivated him to work hard in the next games.
"When I was in Mecca and Madinah, I felt relaxed and happy. The atmosphere in the Holy Land was totally different.
"I would like to thank DRB-Hicom for sponsoring the umrah trip. It gives me the inspiration to perform better in sports," he said.
Abdul Latif won gold in the men's long jump T20 (intellectual disability) in Rio.
Joining the pilgrimage were Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, who won gold in the 100m sprint T36 (cerebral palsy), and bronze medallist Siti Noor Radiah Ismail, who won the women's long jump T20 (intellectual disability).
Their umrah packages were fully-sponsored by DRB-Hicom as a reward for winning the gold and bronze medals at the Rio Paralympic Games.
They departed for Saudi Arabia on Dec 26, last year.