Media reps lauded for helping elderly pilgrim
KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysian media personnel providing coverage of the haj pilgrimage in Mecca have been praised for going over and above their duty.
This was after they carried an elderly pilgrim, who was suffering from muscle cramps.
The trio, New Straits Times associate editor (business, op-ed and CBT) Ahmad Lokman Mansor, Ainol Amriz Ismail of Utusan Malaysia and Elmi Rizal Elias of Bernama were on their way back after completing the stonethrowing ritual when they noticed the elderly pilgrim suffering from cramps. They promptly helped to carry him.
Their little act of kindness, however, did not go unnoticed.
It caught the attention of Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who posted a picture of the kind deed on Facebook.
“I am touched to see media personnel (selected to cover the haj pilgrimage this year) helping an elderly pilgrim suffering muscle cramps back to the camp after the melontar ritual.
“It was indeed the most challenging time for Malaysian pilgrims as they had to travel back and forth for 7.5km from the camp, which houses Southeast Asian pilgrims, including Malaysians, to the Jamrat Complex.
“Let us all play that Allah will give strength to Malaysian pilgrims so that they can complete the Manasik Haji and get mabrur haj (accepted by God),” Asyraf wrote.
Netizens were also full of praise for the helping hand from the trio.
Siti Maryam said: “Ya Allah, hope that all the pilgrims will be blessed with good health throughout the period. I am touched to see the photo.”
Khairul Azizi Khalid wrote: “Thank you to all the officers and volunteers for helping the pilgrims. May your good deeds be rewarded by Allah.”