INGO Hopes To Continue Haj Programme For Cambodians

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) – The International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) hopes to continue the haj pilgrimage programme for Islamic religious teachers in Cambodia following the success of the inaugural programme. Its chairman, Dr Mustapha Ahmad Marican said with the haj programme, more Islamic religious teachers in Cambodia can get to perform the pilgrimage in Makkah. "We plan to continue this programme but need sponsorship from Malaysians since the cost per person for haj pilgrimage is USD 4,000 (RM16,910). "It is hard for Islamic religious teachers in Cambodia to get to Makkah on a salary of USD 200 (RM845.50) per month, The imam and bilal do not have fixed income," he said in a statement at a ‘doa selamat’ for five returning haj pilgrims at Masjid Kg Pak Phau, Cambodia, Wednesday. Earlier, Mustapha welcomed the return of the sponsored haj pilgrims at Phnom Penh International Airport. Mustapha hopes that Tabung Haji (TH) can operate in Cambodia for the benefit of Muslims who form two percent of the 15 million population. One of the pilgrims, Ahmad Mat Said, 57, from Kampung Pak Phau, said the INGO was concerned for the welfare of Muslims in Cambodia and helped to build mosques and donate to the poor. Meanwhile, Maisom Ahmad, 59, from Kampung Steam described the haj pilgrimage as memorable adding that the 40-day stay in Makkah was over without even realising it. -- BERNAMA