For our Muslim brothers and sisters, the pilgrimage to Mecca is an important journey toward deepening their faith and religious relationship with Allah.
But, sadly, not everyone can afford the journey.
Deputy Finance Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP, Steven Sim Chee Keong, recently took to his Facebook page to showcase how he decided to send his Standard 1 teacher and her husband on their pilgrimage on his own dime.
He wrote, “I woke up before dawn to go to the airport to surprise Cikgu Zaniyah. Last February, I promised to sponsor my Standard 1 teacher, Cikgu Zaniyah and her husband, Pak Johari, to perform their Umrah. I used my own money as an appreciation of the services of my first school teacher in my life, not government allocated money.”
“Because I wanted to organise my teacher’s journey, I had to take some time. Now, the 8 month wait to go to the Holy Land of Mecca is over.”
Considering the teacher didn’t know that Sim was planning to also send them off from the airport, seeing her former student brought her so much joy.
“My teacher did not know that I would come to the airport to send them off. I was not tired because I wanted to surprise her. The tiredness of waking up at 4am disappeared when I saw the smiling faces of my teacher and Pak Johari.”
“Later, when you are in the Holy Land, teacher, please make all the knowledge you taught me Halal and pray for me to be given the strength to bear the heavy responsibilities of being a representative of the people. Have a safe journey and return. May you be granted a successful Umrah,” he added.
Many have since praised Sim for his generous gift to his teacher.
“A YB that should be an example to other YBs.”
“Salute this noble student.”
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
