Alor Setar: The Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, has called on haj pilgrims to elevate their acts of worship, both obligatory and voluntary (sunnah), and avoid wasting time during their stay in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sultan also advised pilgrims to comply with all regulations set by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the Saudi Arabian government to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage and uphold the country's good name. He urged pilgrims to avoid wasting time on unnecessary matters such as idle talk or excessive use of mobile phones, which may interfere with their focus and acts of worship. Instead, he encouraged them to spend their free time increasing their obligatory and sunnah acts of worship, such as zikir, reciting the Quran, performing prayers, and making supplications to Allah, as this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Sultan emphasized the importance of maintaining good conduct and refraining from any negative behavior that could tarnish the image and reputation of the country, as well as affect the good relations between the Malaysian government and Saudi Arabia. He made these remarks at the sending-off ceremony for Kedah haj pilgrims, attended by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Sultan Sallehuddin further called on the pilgrims to pray for continued blessings upon the state and the nation, lasting prosperity, and protection from any misfortunes or disasters. He also urged them to pray for their brothers in Palestine and other Muslim countries enduring hardship, hoping they may be granted patience and strength in facing trials.
Additionally, the Sultan advised the pilgrims to prioritize their health, be patient in carrying out their religious duties, and remain tolerant towards fellow pilgrims, regardless of skin color, language, or culture. A total of 143 pilgrims from Kedah departed from the Sultan Abdul Halim International Airport for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and are scheduled to leave for the Holy Land at 1.35 am tomorrow. For the 1446H/2025M haj season, a total of 2,548 pilgrims from Kedah will be performing the pilgrimage, comprising 1,090 men and 1,458 women.