Performing haj at 19 a dream come true for young man
KOTA KINABALU: The opportunity to perform the haj at 19 is a dream come true for Mohd Zuheem Hamzah.
It was also more meaningful for the teen from Putatan, Sabah, as he will perform the haj with his family, including mother Kasmirah Jaafar, 58, two elder brothers and two elder sisters.
The youngest of five siblings said he still could not believe he received such an opportunity.
“When I received the offer letter, I asked myself whether I was prepared for haj. Even though I had been to the Holy Land twice to perform my umrah in 2006 and 2014, the feeling this time around is different.
“However, my mother and siblings advised me to have faith and confidence. Not all young people have such an opportunity. As such, I do not want to let it go,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
Zuheem said apart from reading up books provided by Tabung Haji in preparation for the haj, he also listened to religious talks.
His elder brother, Mohd Zuhdie, said the idea for the family of five to perform the haj together was mooted by their mother. This was after she saw another family performing the haj together in the Holy Land in 2003.
“My mother was grateful and happy after finding out that our family was chosen to perform the haj together this year.
“We did not expect it and were shocked when our intent to perform the haj as a family was answered.”