DPM Zahid Reminds Haj Pilgrims To Live Up To Malaysia's Reputation

BAGAN DATUK (Perak, Malaysia), July 17 (Bernama) -- Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reminded haj pilgrims to always maintain high level of discipline to live up to Malaysia’s reputation as having among the best behaved pilgrims in the world. The deputy prime minister said the reputation proved that for the past 54 years, Tabung Haji had done a good job in managing the Malaysian pilgrims, right from the selection process and the organising of haj courses, to ensuring smooth running of the entire haj operations. “The Saudi Arabian government recognises pilgrims from Malaysia as among the best behaved. That is why we have to maintain the good relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, which has existed for so many years,” he said at a special ceremony in which 72 haj pilgrims from Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency were feted, here Sunday. At the event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, also presented gifts and personal donation of 500 Riyal (US$133) to the pilgrims. Ahmad Zahid said all pilgrims should also leave their political beliefs and differences behind before leaving for the Holy Land. “I will not allow any Malaysian pilgrim to fight over political or ideological differences while performing haj. As the guests of Allah, nothing else should matter. Forget and leave everything at home (Malaysia). “Be grateful for being selected to perform haj this year because those who just registered recently will probably have to wait 107 years for their turn,” he added. -- BERNAMA