Kedah Sultan reminds haj pilgrims to respect Saudi laws, focus on haj rites
ALOR STAR: Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah reminded haj pilgrims from the state to respect the Saudi Arabian government laws and regulations.
The sultan reminded the pilgrims not to get involved in activities that could compromise a strong relationship between the Malaysian and Saudi governments.
"I also hope that the pilgrims will uphold proper manners and refrain from any negative behaviours that may tarnish the image and good name of our country, as well as the strong relationship between the Malaysian and Saudi governments.
"Comply with and respect the laws and regulations of the Saudi Arabian government by avoiding any activities that could damage the reputation of Malaysian pilgrims, who are known for their discipline and decorum," Sultan Sallehuddin said in his speech while gracing the sending-off ceremony for 143 pilgrims from Kedah at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today.
Also in attendance was the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
Sultan Sallehuddin also decreed that the pilgrims avoid wasting time on unproductive activities, such as idle chatter or using mobile phones unnecessarily, as these can disrupt focus and devotion.
"Use your free time to engage in obligatory and recommended acts of worship, such as making dhikr, reading the Quran, supplicating, and seeking closeness to Allah.
"This opportunity may come only once in a lifetime," he said.
Sultan Sallehuddin urged the pilgrims to be patient in facing all the challenges and to pay close attention to their health and personal hygiene during the pilgrimage.
His Royal Highness hoped that the haj pilgrims would pray for the continuous prosperity of Kedah and Malaysia, as well as Muslims in Palestine.
"I pray that all pilgrims can perform their Haj properly and return home with a Haj that is accepted by Allah (Haj Mabrur), Insya-Allah."
Meanwhile, Lembaga Tabung Haji northern region director Datuk Muhammad Mokhzani Mukhtar said the Kedah pilgrims' flight is the 33rd of a total of 100 chartered haj flights arranged to transport 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for the 1446H/2025 pilgrimage season.
Nearly 7,000 Malaysian pilgrims have already arrived in the Holy Land.
"The Kedah pilgrims will join 141 pilgrims from Kelantan, making a total of 284 pilgrims.
"They will depart from KLIA aboard flight MH8088 and are expected to arrive in Madinah at 5.20am Saudi Arabian time on the same day," he said.
For the 1446H/2025M Haj season, Kedah recorded a total of 2,548 pilgrims, comprising 1,090 men and 1,458 women.
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