Jitra: What began as a simple stop to listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah from outside a mosque turned into a life-changing moment for a man of Chinese descent, eventually leading to his conversion to Islam and the opportunity to perform the haj with his wife.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Zamarul Hafiz Ho Abdullah, 54, from Masai, Johor, said the experience of hearing the congregational 'Amin' echoed in unison deeply touched his heart and sparked his curiosity about Islam. He recalled sitting outside the mosque during Maghrib and being moved by the unique sense of unity he felt when everyone said 'Amin' together. This experience gradually drew him closer to the mosque, even though he had not yet embraced Islam and did not understand the basics of worship at the time.

Mohamad Zamarul quietly entered and sat at the back of the mosque, feeling at peace despite not knowing the prayers. His curiosity about Surah Al-Fatihah led him to learn it by transcribing its pronunciation into Romanised text before deciding to embrace Islam in 2006. Although his decision was initially met with opposition from his family and resulted in him being expelled from his home, it strengthened his determination to deepen his understanding of Islam. He received support from his wife, Kamariah Othman, whom he married in the same year.

Kamariah, who is also performing the haj, shared the challenges they faced in their married life, including financial constraints and raising a child with health problems. Despite these hardships, their dream of fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam never faded. Mohamad Zamarul, who runs a small bread-making business, began saving diligently, and eventually, their efforts bore fruit, allowing them to perform the haj, a dream that initially seemed impossible.

More significantly, Mohamad Zamarul's conversion to Islam inspired both his parents to embrace the faith in 2012. During his time in the Holy Land, he described the overwhelming sense of peace he felt in Makkah, realizing the insignificance of worldly pursuits. Meanwhile, Kamariah expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform the haj, describing it as an answer to her heartfelt prayers.