SHAH ALAM, April 28 — The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has advised prospective Hajj pilgrims to be well-prepared to perform their religious obligation this year.
His Royal Highness said the Hajj pilgrimage requires physical and emotional strength and clear knowledge.
“As long as you are in the Holy Land, purify your intentions and use your time and energy to perform religious worship,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.
The Ruler also called on all prospective Hajj pilgrims to join hands, help each other, and respect each other.
His Royal Highness was speaking at the officiation of the state-level Perdana Hajj Course Season 1445H/2024M organised by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah today.
Also present was the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari were also in attendance.
Sultan Sharafuddin also hoped that the pilgrims continue to maintain self-discipline while in the Holy Land and to protect the good name of Selangor and Malaysia.
“Thus far, I have been informed that Malaysian pilgrims, including those from Selangor, are among those who are disciplined and obey the rules set by the government of Saudi Arabia,” said His Royal Highness.
The Sultan also hoped that prospective pilgrims would focus on religious worship in the Holy Land and avoid participating in protests or demonstrations.
His Royal Highness also advised Malaysian pilgrims to always be in contact with the Hajj officials and follow all the instructions issued by TH.
Sultan Sharafuddin has been informed that the number of depositors in TH for Selangor is around 1.81 million people, with a total savings of RM18.797 billion and 8,061 prospective Hajj pilgrims this year.
As such, the Ruler also ordered the state government to sponsor 36 underprivileged participants from nine districts in the state who could not afford it but yearned to perform the Hajj.
“The state government will spend as much as RM1.2 million for the programme,” said His Royal Highness.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, Na’im said that 31,600 prospective pilgrims have started attending the Perdana Hajj Course for the Season 1445H/2024M organised by TH, which is being held in stages nationwide from April 20 to May 5.
The two-day, one-night course was the final preparation for prospective pilgrims before leaving for the Holy Land. It involves practical activities including tawaf, sa’ie, and throwing pebbles.
— Bernama
