Selangor Sultan advises haj pilgrims to be well prepared

SHAH ALAM: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has advised prospective haj pilgrims to be well prepared to perform the fifth pillar of Islam this year.

The Ruler said the pilgrimage requires physical and emotional strength as well as clear knowledge.

“As long as you are in the holy land, purify your intentions and use your time and energy to perform religious worship,” Sultan Sharafuddin said when officiating the state-level Perdana Haj Course at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque here yesterday.

His Royal Highness also called on all prospective haj pilgrims to join hands, help and respect each other.

Also present were Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Sultan Sharafuddin also hoped that the pilgrims continue to maintain self-discipline while in the holy land and to protect the good name of Selangor and Malaysia.

“Thus far, I have been informed that Malaysian pilgrims, including those from Selangor, are among the pilgrims who are disciplined and obey the rules set by the government of Saudi Arabia,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.

His Royal Highness hoped that the prospective pilgrims would focus on religious worship in the holy land and avoid getting involved in any protests or demonstrations.

Sultan Sharafuddin also said that Malaysian pilgrims should always be in contact with haj officials and follow all the instructions issued by Tabung Haji.

His Royal Highness said he has been informed that the number of Tabung Haji depositors in Selangor is around 1.81 million people with a total savings of Rm18.797bil while there will be 8,061 prospective haj pilgrims this year.

The Sultan of Selangor also ordered the state government to sponsor 36 underprivileged participants from nine districts in the state who could not afford the haj pilgrimage.

“The state government will spend as much as Rm1.2mil for the programme,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im in his welcoming speech said 31,600 prospective pilgrims have started attending the course, which is being held in stages nationwide from April 20 to May 5.

He said the course, organised by Lembaga Tabung Haji, is the final preparation for prospective pilgrims before they leave for the holy land, which involves practical activities such as tawaf, sa’ie and throwing of pebbles.