Kota Kinabalu: The first group of 134 prospective Sabah pilgrims departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5.36am on Saturday and arrived in Jeddah at 8.40am Saudi Arabia time the same day.
They joined 142 prospective pilgrims from Penang, bringing the total to 276 people on board flight MH8152.
The group departed from Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.05 on Friday night.
At a ceremony to celebrate the group’s departure at the Kota Kinabalu International Convention Centre here which was also attended by his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin advised the pilgrims to be prepared in all aspects, including their mental, physical and spiritual health throughout the pilgrimage.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
Juhar highlighted that the conditions in the Holy Land would be crowded and challenging, urging every pilgrim to remain patient, tolerant and loving towards fellow Muslims regardless of skin colour, language, customs and culture.
He emphasised that the invitation to perform the Hajj is a very special one, and should not be wasted on unbeneficial activities or anything that might negatively impact their pilgrimage.
“I hope the pilgrims will earnestly carry out all the Hajj rituals and obligations as they have learned during the courses organised by Tabung Haji.
“I pray that all the pilgrims from Sabah are granted ease by Allah in performing the Hajj,” he said.
