Vast Employment Opportunities For Malaysian Muslims In Makkah

From Hafizah Kamaruddin MAKKAH, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Vast opportunities await Malaysian Muslim professionals in the current massive expansion projects in Makkah, according to a Malaysian consultant. Mohd Rus Abbas, 36, a cost consultant with a Saudi Arabian company involved in the development of Masjidilharam, said jobs for professionals such as mechanical and civil engineers, quantity surveyors and architects abound here. "Given Malaysia's standing as one of the more advanced muslim countries in the construction industry, I see vast prospects for Malaysian Muslim professionals. "The Saudi Arabian government greatly needs skilled manpower for its projects which are developing at a rapid pace," he told the Malaysian media at his residence in Batha Quraish, located about nine kilometres away. The group was there recently for the 'usrah' gathering with Malaysian professionals. Mohd Rus who came to work in Makkah in late 2011, said Malaysian expatriates were received well by the Saudi Arabian government. "The number of Malaysian Muslims working in Makkah has been increasing and this enabled them to form an usrah, a religious discussion group that meets once a fortnight. "The gathering is also an occasion for family get-togethers for the profesionals," he said. The quantity surveyor who graduated from Mara University of Technology, was involved in various development projects in Malaysia, including Petronas University of Technology; an oil refinery in Melaka state; and the Pavillion shopping mall. "My last project prior to moving to Oman was the Lynas Advance Materials Plant in Kuantan, Pahang state. "I moved to Oman to work as an oil and gas consultant in contract administration with British Petroleum for three years from 2008 till end 2011," he said. Mohd Rus' present company employs two Malaysian consultants, including himself, and about 30 others in the construction of the mataf, the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba. He secured the job as one of the pioneers in the expansion programme of Masjidilharam through a telephone interview after being recommended by a friend. "When I first accepted the offer to work in Makkah, I thought I would be involved in a shopping mall or hotel project. I never expected to work in Masjidilharam," he said. Describing his job here as part of his ibadah (worship), he said it had taught him the essence of truthfulness, transparency, besides earnestness in carrying out his responsibility, since it is not his boss but Allah who is the 'paymaster'. Mohd Rus is married to Masnira Ramli and they have two children. His advice for Malaysians who wish to work abroad is: "Be bold, confident, and honest, and never be hesitant to admit your mistakes". Meanwhile, he said the three-phase Masjidilharam expansion project once completed, would provide a more spacious, comfortable and safer environment for bigger groups of haj pilgrims to perform their prayers. The mosque will have a total area of 1.1 million square meters and can accommodate an additional 1.6 million worshippers. --BERNAMA