Two youths perform haj on their own
MAKKAH: The vast majority of Malaysian pilgrims are elderly folk who have saved and waited a big part of their lives for their turn to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
Amid this sea of seniors, two exuberant youths stand out. Interestingly, they are not here to accompany elderly parents or family members as is usually the case, but are here on their own.
Firdaus Budiman, 22, and Mohammad Soleh Md Radzai, 23, are here separately to perform the haj when many their age would not have even considered making the journey yet.
The two were coincidentally placed in the same room at the accommodation building, Abraj Al-Janadriyah, and have been fast friends since.
Firdaus said his parents registered him with Tabung Haji (TH) since he was born, with all his pocket money and duit raya deposited into his account.
“I received an offer to perform the haj in 2010 with my parents and two siblings, but was disallowed by TH as I had not yet reached puberty.
“It was deferred to this year,” said the International Islamic University Malaysia accountancy student.
The Johorean said his friends were surprised that he was going for his haj at a young age.
“I am thankful to my parents for inculcating in me the religious knowledge and importance of performing the haj.
“I am nervous but excited.
“All I hope for is that I will achieve a mabrur haj (a haj accepted by Allah) and gain a place in heaven.”
Soleh said he too was registered with TH when he was born, and received the offer this year together with his four siblings.
“However, my siblings could not make it for various reasons. As I had saved up enough money, I decided to proceed on my own,” said the accounts assistant, who works in Melaka.
He said his father helped guide him and now was receiving help and support from his older roommates.
“It’s not too daunting as I had just performed my umrah earlier this year.”
Both of them arrived in Madinah on July 14, before making their way here.