PM Anwar Congratulates M’sian Haj Pilgrims, Prays For Smooth Journey

"Haj is truly a great spiritual journey that demands sacrifice, sincerity, patience and devotion," he said in the post.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said he was grateful that the pilgrims’ departure for the Holy Land had begun early this morning.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today congratulated Malaysian haj pilgrims selected to perform the fifth pillar of Islam this year.

The Prime Minister also prayed that the pilgrims’ affairs be eased, that they be granted good health, and that they remain under Allah SWT’s protection throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

"May all pilgrims be blessed with accepted haj (haji mabrur), whose reward is nothing but paradise, and may they return home with blessings, deeper reflection, and renewed commitment to being devoted servants of Allah SWT," he said.

A total of 31,600 Malaysian haj pilgrims will perform the pilgrimage this year. The first group of 284 left Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 4.05 am aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH8050.