M'sian King Wants Muslims To Be United, Set Aside Differences

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Aug 28 (Bernama) -- King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah wants Muslims in Malaysia to remain united and to set aside any differences which could divide the ummah (Muslim community). "Muslims in this country should also be concerned about the situation faced by their brethren in the turbulent countries by extending aid and praying for their wellbeing," he said. Tuanku Abdul Halim said this in his speech at a ceremony held at the Tabung Haji Complex in Kelana Jaya, here, to bid farefell to 279 Haj pilgrims, the third batch, leaving for the Holy Land. Also present were Queen Tuanku Hajah Haminah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom and Saudi Arabian ambassador to Malaysia Fahad Abdullah Al Rashid. In his speech, the King also linked the fifth tenet of Islam (performing the Haj as a religious obligation) to Muslim unity as it teaches them to be tolerant and mutually helpful, regardless of their colour, culture, language and customs. He said only through this could there be unity of the ummah in facing difficulties in upholding the Islamic religion. Tuanku Abdul Halim said Muslims in Malaysia should also be grateful as they were able to live in peace and perform their religious obligations without any hindrance. The King advised Malaysian Haj pilgrims to observe good personal hygiene and of their surroundings while in the Holy Land, as ignoring this aspect could cause disease outbreaks and affect their health. He also advised them to follow all directives given by the Saudi Arabian authorities and instructions from Tabung Haji to ensure their safety and smooth performance of their Haj. Earlier, Jamil Khir in his speech said that to date, 1.5 million Muslims had registered to perform the Haj, with a big portion of them comprising young people and children. "As a result, those waiting their turn (to perform the Haj) form a big number, with the waiting period reaching 60 years," he said. The minister said for the Haj season this year, there would be 64 flights taking 22,320 pilgrims to the Holy Land from Sepang (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), Bayan Lepas, Alor Setar, Kuala Terengganu, Senai, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The last flight to the Holy Land for Malaysian pilgrims is on Sept 27. -- BERNAMA