malaysiang
KUALA LUMPUR, Despite being visually-impaired, Abdul Samad MM Abdul Aziz is resolute in his determination to undertake his spiritual journey to the Holy Land to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam, the Haj.
The 53-year-old father of three expressed his gratitude for being chosen as a Duyufurrahman (guest of Allah) this year.
Undeterred by his disability, Abdul Samad said he was currently making final preparations before departing for the Holy Land on May 15.
‘I’m mentally ready, insha-Allah, as I had the opportunity to perform the umrah with my family in 2019, which equipped me with the basic foundations. I also watch YouTube every day to learn from others’ experiences and lectures (on haj).
‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I have to ensure I make the most of it,’ he told Bernama.
Abdul Samad said his preparations for the journey to the Holy Land are nearly 90 percent complete, and he complements them with regular exercise to ensure he is physically fit for the pilgrimage.
The massage therapist
will perform the haj with his wife Ani Sharani Jemiran, 51, who is also visually impaired, accompanied by his former school teacher and spouse.
Meanwhile, physically-challenged Rabbi’ah Beve, 28, expressed her excitement at the chance to perform the haj this year, even at a young age.
‘I registered for the haj in 2008 while I was still in school. When I got the offer letter recently, I felt a bit nervous because I thought my religious knowledge might not be enough.
‘But, alhamdulillah, Tabung Haji’s (TH) basic and intensive Haj courses have greatly enhanced my understanding of the haj rituals through comprehensive explanations and practical sessions,’ she said.
The programmer at a non-governmental organisation also commended the caring attitude of TH staff, who demonstrate genuine concern for the needs and welfare of disabled prospective pilgrims like her.
TH executive director Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the agency is committed to safeguarding the welfare and safety of all prospective h
aj pilgrims for the 1445H/2024M season.
He said that the primary focus was on ensuring the well-being of all prospective pilgrims, with particular attention given to the elderly and persons with disabilities (PwD).
“TH permits disabled pilgrims to have an escort or helper to ensure that they are always with their family members or next of kin while performing the haj. TH also provides braille Quran for visually impaired pilgrims.
‘TH’s efforts to create a friendly environment for disabled pilgrims continue every year, with staff and Sahabat Maktab volunteers offering assistance to facilitate their journey,’ he said.
The Saudi Arabian government has approved a total of 31,600 haj quotas for Malaysian pilgrims for the 1445H/2024M season.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
