MALAYSIAN HAJ PILGRIMS ADVISED NOT TO BE INFLUENCED BY FOREIGN CULTURES

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

MECCA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysian haj pilgrims here have been advised
not to be influenced by foreign cultures while in the Grand Mosque.

Tabung Haji (Pilgrims' Fund) religious teacher Sapawi Che Mat said they
should perform the 'ibadah' (act of devotion to God) as practised in Malaysia.

"In the Grand Mosque, we will meet Muslims from other different countries,
races and cultures. Although they are all Muslims, their "Mazhab" (schools of
Islamic Law) may be different from ours," said Sapawi who is also responsible
for guiding Malaysian pilgrims here.

He also said it was important for Malaysian pilgrims to perform their
"ibadah" here based on their knowledge and ability and not emotion, especially
in performing the Umrah (minor haj).

"We cannot stop them from performing the Umrah repeatedly, but we always
remind them that the main purpose of their coming to the Holy Land is to perfom
the haj.

"So, please do not overdo the Umrah to the extent of falling sick and not
being able to perform the haj," he added.

So far, more than half of the 26,000 Malaysian pilgrims have arrived in
the Holy Land.
-- BERNAMA