A TOTAL of 100 Muslims from Johor have received full sponsorship to perform the umrah (minor pilgrimage) under the “Umrah 1000 Asnaf” programme.
The initiative by Ikhlas Com Travel & Umrah Sdn Bhd (ikhlas.com) in collaboration with Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) enables Muslims in need to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“We believe many Muslims dream of visiting the Holy Land but are held back by life’s constraints,” said ikhlas.com chief executive officer Ikhlas Kamarudin.
He said the collaboration with MAINJ would ensure the sponsorship reached those who were truly in need.
In addition to the fully sponsored umrah packages, he said, the pilgrims would receive a trip allowance from a total of RM150,000 funded through zakat contributions managed by the council.
He said this in conjunction with the opening of the company’s Johor branch office at Bandar Baru Uda in Tampoi, Johor Baru, at the presentation of the Umrah 1000 Asnaf sponsorship at Masjid Ungku Tun Aminah in Kampung Pasir, Tampoi.
Present at the event were MAINJ advisor Datuk Nooh Gadut and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin.
Recipient Nur Laila Abd Rashid, 42, who works as a cleaner and supports three children while also caring for her elderly parents, said for years, she had prioritised her family.
“My dream is not only to visit Mecca but I also hope to be able to help others who cannot afford to go there,” she said.
Another recipient, Azizah Wati Junit, 56, is a single mother of five without a stable source of financial support.
Having previously worked as a security guard, cleaner and childcare provider, the kuih seller earns around RM500 monthly and relies on zakat assistance to get by.
“I never imagined I would have this opportunity to perform the umrah,” said Azizah.
The initiative to fund 1,000 needy individuals for the umrah was launched last year in conjunction with ikhlas.com’s fifth anniversary.
