Latest news with #RohayaAbdulKadir
Barnama
15-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Generous Individual Makes 69-year-old Woman's Haj Dream Come True
JOHOR BAHRU, May 15 (Bernama) -- After 14 years of patiently waiting and praying for the chance to fulfil her dream of performing the haj, Rohaya Abdul Kadir never expected she would finally be granted the opportunity to go to the Holy Land - sponsored by a kind-hearted individual. Rohaya, 69, said her entire pilgrimage to the Holy Land was sponsored by a generous individual as an expression of gratitude after she recovered from a 25-day stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19. She said the sponsorship was the most meaningful gift she had ever received. However, she declined to reveal the name of the generous individual. 'I was admitted to the ICU at Sultanah Aminah Hospital for 25 days due to COVID-19 in 2020. 'The generous individual was overjoyed at my recovery and expressed her gratitude by sponsoring my pilgrimage to the Holy Land,' she told reporters at the haj pilgrims send-off ceremony at the Senai International Airport here today. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid and state Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah. Rohaya, who has been performing the bathing and shrouding of female Muslim bodies at Masjid Pulai Utama since 2017, said testing positive for COVID-19 was a deeply challenging experience - one that ultimately strengthened her sense of gratitude for life. 'After testing positive, Allah granted me the blessing of life and allowed me to return to my normal routine. On top of that, a kind-hearted individual came forward to sponsor my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I am truly grateful. Even during my illness, people continued to offer support and donations,' she said. Rohaya, who is travelling to the Holy Land with her husband, is among the 142 pilgrims from Johor who departed for Makkah today.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Covid-19 survivors grateful for haj opportunity after 14-year wait
KULAI: A married couple, both badly affected by Covid-19 during the pandemic, were overcome with gratitude today as they prepared to depart for the haj after 14 years of being on the waiting list. Rohaya Abdul Kadir, 69, who was once placed in a medically-induced coma for 25 days during the 2020 pandemic, and her husband Hassan Abdul Hamid, 76, who spent 10 days in the intensive care unit due to the virus and asthma, said their journey to the Holy Land felt like a miracle. The couple were among 142 pilgrims selected under the Johor government-sponsored haj programme's second batch who flew out today. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi attended the send-off ceremony, held at Senai International Airport, here. "When my husband received the haj call on Feb 20, just before Ramadan, we were shocked and overjoyed. I immediately performed sujud syukur and vowed to fast in gratitude," said Rohaya, her voice breaking. Although only her husband received the official invitation, Rohaya's application to accompany him was approved, and a benefactor stepped forward to fully sponsor her. "After surviving Covid-19 and being kept on a ventilator for nearly a month, I never thought I would live nor be granted the opportunity to perform haj," she said. The couple, from Taman Universiti in Skudai, were surrounded by all eight of their children in the run-up to their departure. Rohaya, a mortuary assistant since 2017, said her children packed her husband's medication and reminded her to take good care of him throughout the pilgrimage. "I only pray that Allah grants us strength and good health to be able to complete one of the five pillars in Islam." Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mekah in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. The other four pillars are the declaration of faith, daily prayers, almsgiving (zakat), and fasting during Ramadan. Hassan, a former mechanic with the Johor Baru City Council, retired in 2006.
