SHAH ALAM: Last year, local celebrity and actor Datuk Rosyam Nor walked 47km from Kumpulan Karangkraf Complex, here, to the International Islamic University Malaysia campus in Gombak to promote the #WorldQuranHour.
This time around, the 50-year-old will be taking the campaign that encourages Muslims to read and appreciate the Al-Quran for an hour to greater heights by walking up the stairs of the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) on Aug 21.
Rosyam's mission to promote #WorldQuranHour has a more significant meaning this year as he will bringing along with him the Merdeka spirit to coincide with the National Day celebrations on Aug 31.
"My journey will begin from the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve where I will walk for 1km towards the KL Tower. From the base to the upper deck of KL Tower, I will be proudly armed with the event flag as well as the Jalur Gemilang.
"I will be walking up over 2,200 steps which I feel will not be an impossible mission for me. I am currently busy filming a movie now and I may not have enough time to prepare. But I am confident that I am fit enough to climb up to the upper deck. I am ready.
"The biggest motivation for me would be to see the event flag as well as the Jalur Gemilang atop the KL Tower. That would keep me going and my spirits up," said the upbeat Rosyam.
He added that he had wanted to repeat a walk this year but was advised against doing so due to traffic conditions.
That was when the idea to climb up KL Tower came to mind and they have obtained the necessary permission to do so.
Aside from being confident he could climb up, Rosyam said one way to prepare himself mentally and physically for the mission was to get enough rest and sleep the day before.
Rosyam, who is also the icon for Rumah Ngaji, said this during a press conference held in Karangkraf Complex in Section 15, here, today.
Rosyam would be accompanied by Kumpulan Media Karangkraf deputy chief executive officer Syamil Fahim Mohd Fahim and 13 others during the climb up.
Deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki is expected to receive the flags from Rosyam at the upper deck.
Rosyam said the climb up to the top of KL Tower was to build a momentum to the #MerdekaQuranHour which will take place on Aug 31 at Dataran Merdeka.
"#MerdekaQuranHour which starts at 8.30pm takes a more special meaning because not only does its time coincides with the 'wuquf' in Arafah, Mecca, there will also be a Hari Raya Aidiladha takbir," he said.
Rosyam invited the Muslim community to join in the Merdeka event regardless of their level of reading or comprehension.
"They should not be ashamed to join us. We want to shape a society that loves the Al-Quran. There will also be other events such as religious talks. I would also want to see the non-Muslims to join us to be part of the Merdeka celebrations for the muhibbah spirit," he said.