KUCHING: After waiting for two years to perform the Hajj, Umar Amin Usaini heaved a sigh of relief when he was chosen as one of the pilgrims for the pilgrimage.
The 34-year-old said he was grateful that he was going with his sister Ummi Khalthom Usaini, 30, and how they were presented with the opportunity to go to the Holy Land.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many Muslims, including myself, were sad that the Hajj had to be postponed.
“Nonetheless, I am very grateful that my sister and I were chosen to perform the Hajj. God willing, everything will go smoothly for all of us.
“Our loved ones are excited, they are praying for us to go and return safely,” he said, when met at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre on Thursday (June 23).
Ummi said she felt both excited and nervous for being chosen to fulfil the Fifth Pillar of Islam at a young age, adding that their parents had already performed their pilgrimage.
“I hope our Muslim sisters and brothers will also be given the opportunity to perform their Hajj.
“I am also grateful that my parents had made early planning by registering my brother and I early with Tabung Haji as this allowed us to go perform our Hajj at a young age,” she said.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Hakim said he was actually presented the opportunity to perform his Hajj in 2019 but he had to turn it down as he was still studying then.
The 30-year-old said he had prepared and intended to perform his Hajj in 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic set in.
“I am indeed grateful because I was once again selected as one of the pilgrims to perform Hajj earlier than expected.
“Hopefully, all of the pilgrims including myself, will be able to perform our ibadah as best as we can and for our Hajj to go smoothly,” he said.
