logo
Javanese man stays on mission of travelling to Mecca on foot from Indonesia

Javanese man stays on mission of travelling to Mecca on foot from Indonesia

Borneo Post20-05-2025

Muhammad (fourth right) joins Mohamad Abdullah on his left, Abdullah (third left) and others in a group photo, taken at Wireless Walk in Miri.
MIRI (May 21): Muhammad Munawir remains steadfast on his mission of travelling from his homeland Indonesia to Mecca and Palestine.
The Central Java native arrived here on Monday evening, where he was welcomed by several representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the Sungai 7 Immigration Control Post in Kuala Baram.
Also present was the Miri Kedayan Association chairman Mohamad Abdullah Jamin, who represented his association to extend support for Muhammad's cause.
According to the Indonesian, today marks the sixth month of his journey across three countries: Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia.
'This mission not only tests physical endurance, but also becomes a symbol of solidarity and hope for Muslims worldwide, especially the Palestinian people.
'My trip to Sabah took 15 days; was in Brunei for four days, and I am expected to be in Miri for four days before continuing my journey via plane from Kuching to Johor,' he said.
Muhammad was then taken to the Wireless Walk Miri and was also welcomed by the Melanau Association of Miri chairman Abdullah Jaini, Pelita Maslaut Sdn Bhd managing director Masni Amit and many local supporters, who have been following the progress of his mission via social media.
'This welcome is proof that the local people welcome and give moral support to peace warrior like Muhammad Munawir,' said Mohamad Abdullah.
'His noble effort signifies his strong spirit and determination. He is bringing a message of unity and hope to the Muslim world, despite having to endure the challenges of unpredictable weather and a long journey.' indonesia lead Mecca Muhammad Munawir travelling walking

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'The world sees the crowds. It misses the story'
'The world sees the crowds. It misses the story'

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

'The world sees the crowds. It misses the story'

EACH year, millions of Muslims from across the globe descend on Makkah for the haj pilgrimage. The visuals are familiar by now — vast crowds circling the Kaabah, white garments rippling through the desert heat, drone footage of a sea of humanity moving in harmony. But what's often missing from international coverage of this annual event is what lies beneath those images: the staggering human effort that makes it all work. Haj is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world and also one of the most logistically complex. Pilgrims from over 180 countries converge in a narrow window of time, many of them elderly and from fragile or conflict-torn regions. They come for a deeply spiritual purpose, but they arrive into a system that must accommodate millions safely, respectfully, and with dignity. Saudi Arabia has long taken on this responsibility, treating the management of the haj not as a seasonal obligation but as a sacred trust. Yet, despite the scale and precision of this effort, global media often treats it as a backdrop, rarely pausing to examine what it takes to actually make the pilgrimage possible. More than logistics Managing the haj is not just about crowd control or transport logistics, though both are crucial. It's about thousands of volunteers helping people find their way, doctors treating heat exhaustion in makeshift clinics, and public workers keeping the holiest sites clean in the middle of the night before the next wave of worshippers arrives. These are not minor details. They are the difference between hardship and hospitality. For many pilgrims, this is the most important journey of their lives. They arrive after years of saving, praying, and waiting—often with great personal sacrifice. Their experience is often one of safety and care and is not incidental. It results from deliberate, large-scale planning that often goes unnoticed outside the Islamic world. The human side of a global gathering There's an emotional dimension to the Hajj that rarely makes headlines. Pilgrims travel from war zones, refugee camps, and remote villages. They come in wheelchairs, with elderly parents, carrying the memory of loved ones who didn't live to make the journey. In a world that feels increasingly divided, the haj stands out as one of the few moments where humanity gathers not in opposition but in unity. That reality is easy to miss if reporting sticks to numbers, crowd scenes, or political analysis. What's lost is the story of people—their resilience, faith, and the unseen hands serving them. A different kind of story Saudi Arabia's role in facilitating the haj is not without complexity. No operation of this size is perfect, and there is always room for dialogue and improvement. But what's striking is how rarely international coverage acknowledges the depth of effort involved — or the spirit behind it. Too often, coverage focuses on the spectacle without looking at the system. It documents the rituals but not the relationships. It sees the scale but not the service. This isn't a call for praise or publicity. It's a call for perspective. For a recognition that haj isn't just a logistical feat—it's a human one. And in a time when division and cynicism dominate much of global discourse, the idea that millions can gather peacefully, purposefully, and be cared for with humility and generosity is a story worth telling. If we see only the crowd, we miss the humanity. Behind every pilgrim is a story — a journey of faith, of sacrifice, of hope fulfilled. And behind each of those journeys stands a vast, often invisible effort of care, coordination, and quiet service. To overlook that is to overlook not just the scale of what happens during haj, but the spirit that makes it possible. In a divided world, this annual gathering remains one of the few moments where humanity moves together — not in protest, not in fear, but in peace. That alone deserves a closer look.

Hanoi ready to cash in on growing halal tourism market
Hanoi ready to cash in on growing halal tourism market

The Star

time20 hours ago

  • The Star

Hanoi ready to cash in on growing halal tourism market

HANOI: The global halal tourism sector is a billion-dollar opportunity, an emerging market brimming with untapped potential. As one of Vietnam's leading tourism destinations, Hanoi is wasting no time in tapping into this growing space. With 57 member states in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and more than 2.2 billion Muslims worldwide, the halal tourism market offers not just massive scale, but also strong spending power. In 2023 alone, global Muslim travel spending topped US$220 billion, and it's projected to surpass $300 billion by 2026. Across the globe, more countries are beginning to view halal tourism as a key growth area. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính has expressed his ambition for Vietnam to become a recognised player in the global halal sector, turning halal tourism into a national strength and making Vietnam a must-visit destination on the global halal map. As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations. In 2024, Hanoi welcomed around 650,000 visitors from India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Brunei, Qatar, and more, accounting for roughly 15 per cent of the city's total international arrivals. The upward trend has continued into the first five months of 2025. Beyond existing strengths like the Al-Noor Mosque at No. 12 Hang Luoc Street in Hoan Kiem District, or its reputation on global platforms as a safe and female-friendly destination, Hanoi has been expanding its range of Muslim-friendly services. Several hotels meet halal standards, such as Melia Hanoi and InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72. Others, including Duparc, Grand Mercure, Pullman, Movenpick Living West Hanoi, JW Marriott, and Sofitel Legend Metropole, also offer halal dining options. A growing number of halal restaurants and eateries such as D'Lions (92 Le Duan) and Khazaana (11 Ly Thai To) – are also enhancing the city's appeal. Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of the International Relations and Tourism Promotion Division at the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), underlined that Hanoi is well-positioned to become a leader in halal tourism. Mieu Abbas, chairman of Halal Vietnam, stated that with its position as Vietnam's political, cultural and tourism capital, Hanoi has every chance to lead in building a high-standard halal tourism ecosystem. Despite the promising numbers, halal tourism in Hanoi, like in much of Vietnam, is still in its early stages. Experts said close coordination is needed between government agencies, businesses, international organisations and partners at home and abroad. Nguyen Manh Than, chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, explained that due to religious and cultural sensitivities, halal tourists have very specific requirements, particularly when it comes to food, worship spaces, and cultural respect. He held that Vietnam is moving from awareness to action in developing this segment despite certain challenges, he added. One sign of Hanoi's growing commitment to the Halal market was the recent Hanoi Tourism Festival 2025, themed 'Experience Hanoi 2025.' For the first time, the event featured culinary booths representing India, Malaysia, Iran, and Palestine, offering visitors a taste of diverse Halal cuisines and a chance to engage with Muslim communities. The municipal Department of Tourism also hosted a roundtable on developing Halal-compliant agri-tourism, inviting industry experts to share insights. One of the standout voices was Vo Ngoc Han, CEO of Phan Gia Xanh Garden based in Nha Trang City of Khanh Hoa Province, who has successfully welcomed Muslim tourists to his halal-certified rural tourism site. He held that following halal standards, hosting halal tourists isn't difficult as there are over 2 billion people with the same basic needs. What's hard is when every guest has completely different demands. Halal food can be enjoyed by everyone, but regular food can't be eaten by Muslims, Han explained. Han emphasised that understanding Muslim culture is essential. Mieu Abbas underlined that it's a strategic opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen its global presence through quality, ethics, and professional readiness. He recommended Hanoi create a dedicated halal tourism guide, offer regular training and consultancy for local businesses, and establish a halal tourism promotion centre to connect with global markets. According to Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the city will draft specific policies to boost halal tourism as a strategic segment in its international expansion plans. These will include investment incentives, staff training, communications campaigns, and new experience-based tourism products tailored for halal travellers. — Vietnam News/ANN

Making it easy to worship
Making it easy to worship

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Making it easy to worship

Around 31,600 Malaysians from all states and from all walks of life were flown to Saudi Arabia for their Haj by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights. — Bernama MORE than two million Muslims gathered in Mecca this year for the Haj pilgrimage even as temperatures soared to 47°C. Of that number, 31,600 were Malaysians, coming from all states and from all walks of life, and ranging in age from 16 to 83 years old; they were all flown in by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights. Tabung Haji's Department of Haj head Hisham Harun said that this year, 632 personnel involved came from a cross-section of sectors, including hostels and zones management, healthcare, religious guidance for Haj and visits, finance, media, transportation, catering, baggage handling, customer service, and more. 'This is to cater to all the needs of the Malaysian pilgrims – from their lodgings to 42 menus of Malaysian food,' said Hisham, who was completely hands-on and on the ground assisting pilgrims throughout the Haj period. This year marked the strictest Haj by Saudi Arabia authorities – only the season during the Covid-19 lockdown was stricter – as the guardian of the Holy Land attempted to make this the safest Haj ever, with the lowest number of deaths. Following the tagline 'No Haj without Nusuk' – referring to the official digital platform that manages pilgrimages; 'nusuk' means permit in Arabic – security officials scanned the QR codes of everyone's big square tag at all checkpoints throughout Mecca and various entrances to the Grand Holy Mosque. Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar stressed that such rules were made to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority. Mohd Na'im giving his Khutbah Arafah to Malaysian pilgrims. He says that strict rules have been implemented to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority. — Bernama Saudi authorities also ordered a lockdown at midday during the pinnacle period of Day of Arafah to avoid deaths – every year, this is the day most deaths occur as the elderly and vulnerable attempt to walk in the midday sun to the various holy sites.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store