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The Haj: Malaysian pilgrims lead by example on cleanliness

MAKKAH: TODAY is C-day (Cleanliness Day) here. All Malaysian pilgrims will pick up the brooms, cleaning rags and black garbage bags, in a gotong-royong session under the newly launched maktab (accommodation) cleanliness campaign.

Their task is to clean up their rooms, bathrooms and dining areas, empty rubbish bins and sweep the corridors, as well as the staircase.

Members of the media were rolling up their sleeves to clean up their rooms and the common space.

Malaysian Haj Delegation head Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said the gotong-royong session was an extension of last year’s successful Mashae’er cleanliness campaign, which had earned praise from the Saudi Arabian authorities.

“The cleanliness campaign is scheduled every Wednesday morning, with appointed committees at each level overseeing the process,” he said at the launch of the campaign.

Syed Saleh said the gotong royong campaign could create stronger bonds among the pilgrims.

“Apart from fostering good ties among the pilgrims, a clean space will encourage peace, harmony and a healthier environment for everyone.”

He added that Islam places much importance on cleanliness, both in physical and spiritual terms, as it was considered to be part of the faith.

Prophet Muhammad once said: “Cleanliness is half the ‘iman’ (faith)”.

Syed Saleh added that the Saudi authorities hoped pilgrims from other countries would emulate the Mashae’er cleanliness campaign and the Malaysian pilgrims for their attitude towards change.

Engineer Mohd Alimullah Ishak and his wife, Dr Hanan Ahmad Ainuddin, said they were geared up to clean their rooms.

“Since most of us will eat inside the room, either takeaways or home-cooked food, keeping the room clean is important,” he added.

Dr Hanan said it would be uncomfortable and inconvenient to perform prayers in a dirty room.

Sabahan Harris Hamid said he would clean the bathroom first.

“That is the place we bathe and take our wudhu (ablution). It is a shared bathroom and has to be kept clean at all times.”

While cleanliness or purification in general is considered a desirable aspect, Islam insists on it.

It is for a good reason as cleanliness offers favourable outcomes.

Mashae’er refers to the colossal movement of pilgrims from all over the world.

The procession starts from Makkah to Arafah for wuquf, and continues to Muzdalifah and Mina for the stoning ritual.

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