Malaysians eager to experience fasting in Mecca

JOHOR BARU: During Ramadan, nothing rivals the experience of fasting in the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah.

That is why former wealth management consultant Saary Ismail always makes it a point to perform the umrah in Mecca during Ramadan.

“It has been an annual affair for me since 2001,” he said when contacted in Mecca.

Saary, who is from Gombak, Selangor, said he paid about RM5,000 for the 40-day Ramadan umrah package 17 years ago.

Today, the cost is more than RM15,000.

“Price is not an issue with many Muslims in Malaysia. Most actually look forward to performing the umrah during Ramadan,” Saary said.

For retired engineer Zainuddin Omar from Kelana Jaya, this is his second time performing the umrah in Mecca.

His wife Ratna Mahyuddin, who retired from her position as a deputy director of a government department last month, also made the pilgrimage.

“I’m glad to be able to spend my Ramadan in Mecca for the first time,” she said.

The couple arrived in Mecca two days before the start of the fasting month.

They are scheduled to return to Malaysia during the first week of Hari Raya.

Meanwhile, retired engineer Zainal Abidin Saidun from Shah Alam will leave on Tuesday for Mecca, where he will stay until Ramadan ends on June 14.

“This is my first time performing the umrah during the fasting month,” he said.

Zainal said he paid about RM20,000 for the umrah package, adding that the packages for the last 15 days of Ramadan were usually more expensive.

“Based on feedback from some of my friends who perform their umrah in Mecca during the fasting month, the crowds get larger over the last 10 days of Ramadan,” he added.