KUALA LUMPUR: Social media has been in a frenzy over a local entrepreneur currently in Makkah performing umrah.
Muhammad Sajad Kamaruzzaman or Nur Sajat, whose gender has been a subject of debate for years, recently went to Makkah for umrah.
The issue blew up on social media when videos shared by the entrepreneur showed Nur Sajat donning the telekung (female prayer attire) in Makkah.
A spokesperson for the travel company Nur Sajat engaged for the umrah trip, Albayt Travel (M) Sdn Bhd, said she is no longer in the holy city.
"We have already asked the mutawwif to take Nur Sajat's group of 10 out of Makkah.
"They have been taken on a visit around Madinah.
"Presently it is difficult to get Nur Sajat's cooperation, instead discussions are mostly done through the personal assistant," the spokesperson told Berita Harian today.
Albayt Travel also wants Nur Sajat to issue an open apology following the controversy that was caused by the videos shared on the entrepreneur's social media account.
"For now, Nur Sajat only asked to wait until she returns to Malaysia. Our side, especially the mutawwif tried to get in touch with Nur Sajat's parents, because only close family members would know the actual situation on the gender issue.
"However the parents are also proving to be difficult to engage in a discussion," the spokesperson remarked.
On allegations that Nur Sajat was arrested by Saudi police, the spokesperson said the Malaysian Embassy has yet to confirm this.
It is learned that the Federal Territory Mufti Office is meeting with the National Registration Department (JPN) to obtain further information on the entrepreneur's gender.