PASIR GUDANG: Malaysian haj pilgrims have been advised not to get involved in any politics when performing their haj, following the issues occuring among countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said pilgrims should instead focus on their religious obligations when they are in Mecca and Madinah.
"Normally, if we go to Mecca we do not want to talk about politics. We go there to perform the haj to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.
"We go there to pray to Allah to obtain 'haji mabrur' (proper haj that is accepted by Allah) and not to talk about politics," said Azeez.
He was speaking to reporters after handing over contributions from the Tabung Haji Foundation to 476 recipients in its Program Ziarah Kasih programme in Taman Mawar today.
Azeez said Tabung Haji also stressed upon the safety of the 30,200 registered Malaysian haj pilgrims this year, through daily briefings to them which will be done in Mecca, Madinah, Mina and Arafah along the haj pilgrimage locations.
On June 5, six countries in the Persian Gulf cut ties with Qatar, which has been accused of destablising that region and backing militant groups. The claims were denied by Qatar.
Azeez said the first flight to bring Malaysian haj pilgrims this year departs on July 24 and the flights will run until Aug 24.
"As chairman Tabung Haj, I advise to all pilgrims to listen to all briefings and advice by Tabung Haji staff as they have vast experience. Before this, there was the Gulf War and conflicts between Iran and Iraq which they experienced as they handled (the haj).
"Pilgrims must abide by instructions from Tabung Haji," he said.