Parents' sacrifices bear fruit as five siblings perform haj together
Both parents worked but life for the family was not easy.
MAKKAH - The sacrifices of a couple who saved money for their children in Tabung Haji accounts since they were young, with the hope that all their children could perform the Haj at a young age, have finally paid off, with five out of their six children getting the opportunity this year.
Despite having to tighten their belts, the diligence of Abdul Wahab Md. Saad, 63, and Norani Mohamed Noh, 60 - who previously worked as a private sector employee and a nurse - in consistently saving small amounts of money from a young age until retirement, enabled their five children to perform the Hajj together.
The children are Nurul Adila Farhana, 36; Mohd Farid Firdaus, 35; Nurul Fitriah, 32; Mohd Fadhzli, 29; and Nurul Syakila, 27. The couple’s two sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law also managed to join the pilgrimage this year with their spouses.
However, Abdul Wahab and Noraini, who are from Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, are not accompanying their children in performing Hajj this year as they had already done it in 2015.
According to the couple's second child, Mohd Farid Firdaus, even though both parents worked, life for the family was not easy.
Despite having modest monthly salaries, his parents ensured that at least RM50 was deposited into each child's account every month.
"We were poor back then. My mother started from the bottom (retired as a head nurse) and she was willing to have small salary deductions to ensure that all five of us could perform the Hajj.
"Even though she struggled, my mother persevered. We didn’t know the hardships she endured or how much money was left each month, but thanks to her sacrifices, the five of us siblings are now able to perform the Hajj together," he told the media when met at the Abraj Al Janadiriyah Hotel here yesterday.
Fadhzli, meanwhile, said that their parents wanted them to perform the Hajj at a young age so they could carry out the rituals in good health.
"Our mother submitted the Hajj application for all of us simultaneously in 2009 along with our father. They started saving for all of us since we were young on a monthly basis until we were 18 years old.
"When we turned 18, our mother handed over the savings accounts to us to continue saving until our Hajj applications were accepted simultaneously," said Mohd Farid Firdaus.
Meanwhile, Nurul Adilla Farhana, the eldest sibling, expressed gratitude to her parents for their sacrifices over the years, which allowed them all to perform Hajj together.
"Before coming here, our parents advised us to stay united and help each other if we face any difficulties. They told us not to be divided and always seek Allah's help if we encounter any hardship and pray for our family's well-being.
"Our parents also wanted us to focus on performing Hajj and not worry about them back home. They encouraged us to be at peace with whatever happens to them during our absence, and vice versa," she said, holding back tears. - BERNAMA
