The first batch of haj pilgrims left Brunei for Madinah on board Royal Brunei Airlines BI4201 yesterday morning. They arrived in the Saudi Arabian city in the afternoon.
The pilgrims comprised 254 individuals registered under Darussalam Services Sdn Bhd and Straits Central Agencies Sdn Bhd (SCA).
Among the pilgrims was Zulbahri bin Achee, performing haj with his wife and children. He said they applied for the pilgrimage in 2018 and were selected this year.
He said they prepared for haj by attending a course by Ministry of Religious Affairs’ (MoRA) Haj Management Department, reading about the pilgrimage and asking relatives for advice.
Zulbahri said haj preparations require spiritual, mental and physical readiness. He did physical exercise, particularly long-distance walking, and took medical advice during check-ups and briefings.
Another pilgrim is Azizah binti Haji Sahat, who is performing haj with her spouse and daughter. She hopes that the journey to the holy land will be smooth, easy and blessed.
Siti Khadijah binti Haji Emran will be performing haj on her own, hoping the pilgrimage will go well, her sins forgiven and blessings granted. She decided to use a local travel agent for her first haj after hearing good things about SCA. Siti Khadijah said the manager she liaised with was very helpful.
Another first-time haj pilgrim is Abdul Qawi Hafizuddin bin Haji Shahrol Anuar, who turns 20 this year. He is joined by his mother and uncle after a five-year wait.
Abdul Qawi Hafizuddin said it is good timing as he just completed his A-Levels and the pilgrimage will be done before further studies at a university.
He hopes to amplify his religious fervour in the holy cities, pray for his family in Brunei and gain blessings. He said his uncle chose SCA as he’s had good experience with the tour company.
Dr Mohammad Khairul Azmi bin Haji Moksin, a haj medical officer accompanying the pilgrims, said one of the challenges the pilgrims face is the hot weather condition, and thus advised the pilgrims to stay hydrated and minimise exposure to the heat.
The doctor said common medical complaints include coughs, headaches, colds and joint-paints, adding that high-risk individuals will be closely monitored.
Dr Mohammad Khairul Azmi also advised the pilgrims to stretch during the long flight to Madinah.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar; Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Mohammed Abdullah Al-Buraithin; and SCA General Manager Nur Khadijah binti Abdullah were present at Brunei International Airport to see the pilgrims off.
Special Grade Mosque Affairs Officer Zulkifli bin Haji Murat and Imam Haji Ahmad Tarmiji bin Haji Mohd Daud recited Doa Selamat while Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque officer Haji Hamdini bin Haji Garif delivered an Azan.
Meanwhile, the MoRA announced that another travel agency, Firdaus Al-Munawwarah Travel Services Sdn Bhd, has been granted approval to offer umrah package using Saudi Arabia tourist visa. With this addition, there are 28 authorised travel agencies with approval to offer umrah this year. – Rokiah Mahmud & Lyna Mohamad
