Kuala Lumpur: At just 24 years old, Nur Fasihah Athirah Abdul Halim never imagined she would be called to be a guest of Allah and perform the haj on her own this year, especially after her family had completed the fifth pillar of Islam just last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Bachelor of Business Administration graduate from Universiti Utara Malaysia expressed that the opportunity she received was a tremendous blessing and proof that the call to perform the haj can come earlier than expected. She shared her heartfelt gratitude, stating, "Alhamdulillah, Allah invited me to perform the haj while I'm still young. It's true that doing the pilgrimage at a younger age really helps, as we're still healthy and able to walk long distances, though it's still exhausting."

Nur Fasihah Athirah, who is currently part of the Prot©g© programme at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) branch in Bangi, reflected on her solo pilgrimage, noting that although she occasionally felt lonely, the experience allowed her to engage in deep reflection and strengthen her connection with Allah. She recounted the challenges faced in Mina, emphasizing the test of endurance it presented, particularly as she navigated the journey alone.

Her journey began years ago when her mother registered her for haj with Tabung Haji in 2009, starting a monthly savings of RM50 for her pilgrimage fund. This early registration and her parents' sacrifices profoundly moved her, as she expressed her gratitude by thanking them for the opportunity. Initially listed under the M40 group, she successfully applied for a reassessment and was reclassified under the B40 category, enabling her to perform the haj under the Tabung Haji assistance programme.

Nur Fasihah Athirah concluded by expressing her gratitude for the chance to fulfill the haj while still young and healthy. She hopes that more young individuals will have similar opportunities and prays for the success of her friends and the safety of all Malaysian pilgrims.