Malaysians excited to be up close and personal with King in Madinah

From Fadzli Ramli

MADINAH, July 12 (Bernama) -- Great joy and excitement were in the air as Malaysians haj pilgrims, students and workers in Saudi Arabia get the opportunity to be up close and personal with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at a tea reception here today.

Haj pilgrim Rahimah Mat San, 65, said she was so happy and grateful for the opportunity to meet with the King here in the Holy Land.

“I am from Temerloh (Pahang), but I never had the opportunity to be up close and personal with Tuanku (Sultan Abdullah), I only get to see him from afar whenever he came to Termerloh. But today, His Majesty came to my table and asked where I was from and I told him I am from Temerloh.

“I feel like crying tears of joy, I’m so happy and grateful to Allah,” she told Bernama here.

The tea reception was attended by some 200 Malaysians here.

Nurse Siti Masyitah Tumin, 31, who has been working at a hospital here for the past six years, said it really touched her heart when Sultan Abdullah came down from the stage to mingle with the guests at their respective tables.

“His Majesty is so friendly and humble and he didn’t even mind going to each table to mingle with us and taking pictures with us. That really makes us so happy and it is indeed a morale booster for us to continue serving in the name of the country,” she said.

Student of Madinah Islamic University Muhammad Al Amin Zulkifle, 22, on the other hand, said he was apprehensive at first to meet with the King, but the feeling subsided, thanks to the King’s friendly demeanour.

“I have so much respect for His Majesty due to his humility,” said the Johor-born student.

Sultan Abdullah is here for a special visit to Saudi Arabia from today until July 14 at the invitation of His Majesty King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.

-- BERNAMA