MALAYSIAN PM AND DELEGATION PERFORM UMRAH

From Muin Abdul Majid

MECCA, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is
on a four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, took the opportunity to perform
the umrah (minor pilgrimage) Thursday night.

Accompanying him was his wife, Rosmah Mansor, as well as members
of his delegation.

They started the religious rite at about 11pm and completed the task of
circling the Kaabah seven times and the "saie" ritual about two hours later.

Mecca is five hours behind Malaysia.

The delegation was led by Jamil Sulaiman Jalal, who said that he had also
performed the role of "motawif" (guide) for Najib's father, Tun Abdul Razak
Hussein, Malaysia's second prime minister.

Najib is the sixth prime minister of Malaysia, having assumed the role in
April last year.

The Malaysian leader is scheduled to perform Friday prayers and "tawaf Wida"
later today before heading back to Jeddah where he will attend a gathering with
members of the Malaysian business community in Saudi Arabia this evening.

His visit to Saudi Arabia is aimed at promoting closer ties between Malaysia
and the oil-rich kingdom, including in the economic sphere.

His entourage includes several ministers, state leaders and senior
government officials.

-- BERNAMA