KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Sultan of Terrangganu Mizan Zainal Abidin said that the annual Hajj pilgrimage for Muslims is a time of unity and can be a means of creating bridges between Islamic countries across the globe. His comments come as more than 70 percent of Malaysia's 28,000 pilgrims have left for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam required by all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime. He said an incident in the story on Prophet Ismail when Siti Hajar paced back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water for the prophet should be a lesson to all Muslims. “From that incident, Muslims should instill in them the fighting spirit, to continue to strive, to never give up, when facing life challenges and upholding Islam,” he said when sending off pilgrims to Mecca at the Sultan Mahmud Airport. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said. Sultan Mizan advised the haj pilgrims to take care of their health, as well as to be mentally and physically fit, so that they would be able to perform the pilgrimage smoothly. He said they should also abide by regulations set by the local authorities, as well as the Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji), as they were intended to ensure their safety. Malaysians agree that it can be a time of unity and a period when political disagreements should be forgotten. “When I went on the Hajj a few years ago I was so amazed at how it brings people together,” said Ahmad Aziz Abdallah. He told Bikyamasr.com that “by wearing the same clothes we forget that we come from Malaysia, Morocco or anywhere else. It is just a beautiful time for Muslims to come together.”
