Not giving up
Terminally-ill youth given chance to perform umrah and pray for a miracle.
KUALA TERENGGANU: He suffers from end-stage leukaemia and doctors have told him he has only months to live but Muhammad Ramadhan Alias is not giving up.
He believes in miracles and plans to pray hard that God will answer his prayers during his umrah to Mecca and Medinah.
His pilgrimage is being made with the help of the Terengganu government and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.
The 20-year-old from Kampung Beril in Paka, Dungun, said that going on the umrah was a dream come true.
“Doctors told me in December that I only have four months to live. Since then I have had only one wish, to perform the umrah.
“I am happy the state government and the mentri besar have granted my wish,” he told reporters at the airport yesterday.
Muhammad Ramadhan said that although his condition had worsened, the thought of going to the holy land energised him.
“I know I am dying but I will not allow that to make me weak. Miracles can happen. Doctors may say something but it is God who decides,” he said.
He left for Kuala Lumpur from Sultan Mahmud Airport here, accompanied by his mother Saibah Yaacop, 58. They fly to Mecca this morning.
“The first thing I will do when I reach Mecca is thank God for giving me this opportunity and pray for those who have made my trip possible. Then I will do my best to perform the umrah,” he said.
Emotions ran high at the airport. With long hugs and flowing tears, family members wished him bon voyage. But they were worried about his health. His father Alias Ibrahim, 56, said he was concerned because Muhammad Ramadhan had started to cough up blood.
“Doctors warned that he could collapse at any time. I am thankful that he is getting to fulfil his wish but if anything were to happen there, I would be sad,” he said.
Ahmad Razif was also at the airport to see Muhammad Ramadhan off.
“Let’s pray and hope for the best, and that all goes smoothly for him,” he said.