Selangor: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on prospective haj pilgrims to spend prudently in the Holy Land, amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. His Royal Highness urged the pilgrims to focus on their worship and remain patient in facing any trials, difficulties, and challenges they may encounter.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sultan Sharafuddin emphasized the importance of maintaining health, avoiding wastefulness, and controlling spending during the pilgrimage. He advised pilgrims to focus on fulfilling the obligatory acts of worship and minimize shopping and spending while in the Holy Land. These remarks were made during the opening ceremony of the Selangor State-Level Premier Haj Course for the 2026 pilgrimage season, held at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, attended by over 5,900 participants.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised the pilgrims to utilize the facilities provided by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to ensure a smooth pilgrimage. He cautioned against using unknown or unverified agencies to avoid potential fraud and deception. Furthermore, the Sultan urged pilgrims to maintain discipline and uphold the good name of Selangor and Malaysia by complying with Saudi Arabian regulations. He advised them to avoid participating in any form of protest or demonstration.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, who attended the event, reminded pilgrims to remain vigilant and adhere to TH's instructions, considering the geopolitical developments in the West Asian region. He assured that the Malaysian government and TH would monitor the situation closely and collaborate with Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysian pilgrims.
Dr Zulkifli also highlighted that the Premier Haj Course, held in stages nationwide from April 3, focuses not only on worship but also on discipline, time management, and regulatory compliance during the stay in the Holy Land. This year, over 8,000 prospective pilgrims from Selangor are expected to perform haj in stages from April 18 to May 20, with return flights scheduled between June 4 and 30. A total of 100 chartered flights have been arranged to transport 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims to the Holy Land this year.