JOHOR BARU: Johor will provide RM300 in special financial aid to every haj pilgrim from the state this year under a new initiative to support those performing the pilgrimage.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said more than 3,800 Johor pilgrims would receive the one-off assistance under the Bantuan Kasih Johor programme as a gesture of appreciation from the state government.
He said the assistance, introduced following the state’s improved revenue, was the first of its kind in Johor.
“We must remember that among billions of Muslims worldwide, only a very small number are chosen each year to perform the haj,” he said during a meeting with prospective haj pilgrims at Menara MBJB here on Tuesday (April 21).
Onn Hafiz said the aid was made possible through cooperation between the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) and the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ).
He added that Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim would also contribute food packs and drinks for members of the state haj delegation.
Onn Hafiz said Johor had been sending its own state-sponsored haj delegation since 1952, even before the establishment of Tabung Haji (TH) in 1963.
He added that the state had consistently secured a special quota of 500 pilgrims annually through cooperation with Tabung Haji and the Federal Government, with transportation costs fully borne by the state.
“When you are in Arafah, during those precious hours, I humbly ask that you pray for Johor and for Malaysia.
“Pray that Johor continues to be blessed, protected and given abundant sustenance so that we can continue returning that prosperity to the rakyat,” he said to the pilgrims.
