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The opportunity to perform haj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is a profound and significant experience for Muslims around the world, and to be selected for the pilgrimage is one of most awaited moments for many. Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic had deferred the Sultanate’s participation in the haj season for two years. However, after two years, the Saudi Arabian government permitted haj pilgrimage with a quota of some 450 pilgrims, compared to 1,000 in previous years. Last year, the quota was increased to 1,000. Hajah Asmayatim binti Haji Metussin went for haj with her husband in 2023 and expressed gratitude for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Prior to her departure for haj, Hajah Asmayatim shared that she prepared herself not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. Upon knowing that she and her husband were chosen as intending haj pilgrims, she enhanced her knowledge by reading books and attending haj courses on recitations and rituals, as well as what to expect while at the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. According to Hajah Asmayatim, they applied to perform haj in 2015 and were chosen in 2023. On performing haj, Hajah Asmayatim shared that it was her first time at the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. She was truly amazed the moment she first saw the Kaabah, not realising that she had shed tears. Another first was performing prayers at Masjidil Haram, where she had the opportunity to meet other haj pilgrims from different countries, sharing rezeki. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/1o0CcHV5GCcZt4LYyQdOx-9_A9W9Gjuy7XA6m0_UM9R.jpeg) ABOVE & BELOW: Hajah Siti Norsyahdina Sabrina binti Haji Sallehuddin; and Haji Azman bin Abdul Talib with family members. PHOTO: HAJAH ASMAYATIM, HAJI AZMAN, HAJI MUHAMMAD AZIZI & HAJAH SITI NORSYAHDINA SABRINA ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/ubtqin1d_zGG6XZf7dLUg-NOFxikxSXpt1sIoMvqM9z.jpeg) PHOTO: HAJAH ASMAYATIM, HAJI AZMAN, HAJI MUHAMMAD AZIZI & HAJAH SITI NORSYAHDINA SABRINA ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/AxrejfvwIxhiS3i8jrC3a-hWi-C_GB4_aFcE6Ykz4Za.jpeg) Hajah Asmayatim binti Haji Metussin and her husband. PHOTO: HAJAH ASMAYATIM, HAJI AZMAN, HAJI MUHAMMAD AZIZI & HAJAH SITI NORSYAHDINA SABRINA ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/SKJWkawBMjKxNqXgPu2AT-8tjhtMJElH5dMKZexX_H2.jpeg) Haji Muhammad Azizi bin Ahmad while reporting. PHOTO: HAJAH ASMAYATIM, HAJI AZMAN, HAJI MUHAMMAD AZIZI & HAJAH SITI NORSYAHDINA SABRINA ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/VhLWO2MVi_a6W20sePlEe-ysV2cFx2W_F51fj_VJy_0.jpeg) PHOTO: HAJAH ASMAYATIM, HAJI AZMAN, HAJI MUHAMMAD AZIZI & HAJAH SITI NORSYAHDINA SABRINA Meanwhile, Haji Azman bin Abdul Talib performed haj last year after applying in 2017. When he was selected, the pilgrimage was crowded with people from all over the world. At that time, Haji Azman went with family members. They were advised that those who were young, had the budget and are capable should try to go for haj when they had the opportunity as performing the ritual requires a lot of energy and patience. Haji Muhammad Azizi bin Ahmad was tasked as a haj reporter in 2022 which was not an easy feat as he was responsible for updating developments of the Sultanate’s pilgrims. He shared that it requires diligence and high commitment. “Being at the holy land for over 50 days, we certainly faced challenges, especially when you were missing home. But with great patience, commitment and dedication, as well as sharing the experience with teammates, it eased the situation.” Ensuring the welfare of the Sultanate’s pilgrims is a responsibility that every haj reporter shoulders, on top of delivering the latest information on the pilgrims through radio and television. “We departed the Sultanate in advance, prior to the arrival of intending haj pilgrims, to ensure all the planning and management of their haj journey was in place. Upon knowing that I would shoulder such responsibilities, I asked my family and friends who have been to the holy land questions to give myself a better understanding of what to be expect,” said Haji Muhammad Azizi. “Setting foot on the holy land was a unique experience. Unlike visiting other countries, the feelings and experiences while being there were truly amazing, offering the opportunity to perform worship in the two grand mosques, the Nabawi Mosque, often named Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mosque, and the Masjidil Haram in Makkah,” he added. Meanwhile, Hajah Siti Norsyahdina Sabrina binti Haji Sallehuddin from Darussalam Services Sdn Bhd (DSSB) found it challenging for the management that most of the pilgrims were senior citizens. “For senior citizens, special attention is given, especially when dealing with crowds and the unusually hot weather, which can go beyond 40 degrees Celsius (°C). It can cause issues such as fatigue and limited mobility, leading to an increased demand for wheelchair services when performing tawaf and sa’ie rituals,” she said. Madinah is the initial destination for the pilgrims from the Sultanate. It is a beautiful experience for the pilgrims as they are given a special welcome at the hotels upon their arrival in the city with salutations and marhaban. During their stay in the city, aside from the daily routine of performing the five daily prayers at the Nabawi Mosque, the pilgrims also attend lectures and management briefings, as well as visits around the city. The visits include the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Raudhah and other historical sites in Madinah. The haj pilgrimage journey begins in Makkah to perform the haj rituals. Hajah Siti Norsyahdina Sabrina said, “To ensure a smooth process, several discussions and coordination sessions with the Asian Haj management office in Madinah are held, including coordinating the arrangement of buses and passports according to the two-day departure schedule.” She added, “*Alhamdulillah*, although the journey to Makkah takes up to six hours, the challenge for the management is to ensure the safety of the pilgrims until they reach their destination. This year, although some pilgrims fell ill during the journey, it was managed with the help of the medical team.” Upon passing through the checkpoint to enter Makkah for passport inspection, the pilgrims were taken directly to their hotels. While in Makkah, activities and programmes were also arranged by the management. However, unlike Madinah, the pilgrims stay longer in Makkah. “Therefore, several review sessions and lectures, as well as Al-Quran recitation activities are conducted with a focus on preparing for the stay at Arafah and Mina, which are the peak of haj,” she shared. To ensure that the Mashaer journey is orderly and in line with any changes and regulations from the Saudi Arabian government, movement briefings and preparations are also conducted. The weather on peak day of haj reached 48°C. The pilgrims were advised to take care of their health, especially in the week before departure, as the Mashaer journey includes travelling to Muzdalifah, performing tawaf and sa’ie, as well as staying in Mina to perform the Jamarat stoning ritual over four days. This is truly the pinnacle of haj, requiring physical, mental and spiritual preparation. “The management takes it very seriously from all aspects, including preparing and arranging the tents, ensuring that everything is in compliance with Islamic law and regulations,” said Hajah Siti Norsyahdina Sabrina. While staying in Mina from the 10th to the 12th of Zulhijjah, the pilgrims engaged in Al-Quran recitation, attending lectures and a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony with *Doa* *Kesyukuran* to mark the completion of the haj rituals. – Rokiah Mahmud

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