PUTRAJAYA, March 18- A total of 800 people, comprising imams, village heads and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen, today received offer letters to perform the Haj pilgrimage sponsored by the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Foundation.
The offer letters were presented to them by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a special ceremony at a hotel here. In his speech, Najib said he had always hoped that the group, who played a significant role at the grassroot level, would have their chance to perform the pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
“This group consists of important people and it is hoped that the programme will make their dreams come true,” he said. Najib said they would also receive a special allowance and would be feted at a special ceremony before they left for the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, he said the Pilgrims Fund had spent RM110 million to bear the overall costs of managing Malaysian haj pilgrims this year, which was bearing a subsidy of RM5,575 for each first-time pilgrim. He said Malaysia’s good ties with the Saudi Arabian government had also enabled Malaysian pilgrims to enjoy many privileges.
During the event, Najib also shared the recognition received by Malaysia from the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al-Quds International Institute, Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. Dr Yusuf, in his letter to the prime minister, acknowledged Malaysia as the leading Islamic nation, especially in supporting the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause.
BERNAMA
