Two Malaysians Start Walking to Mecca for Umrah

Mohammad Farhan Khadid, 34, from Pendang, and Shamsul Azrin Man, 43, from Kota Sarang Semut in Kedah, set off on their Umrah pilgrimage.

The duo chose to commence their voyage at Masjid Abdullah Fahim in Kepala Batas, a mosque where Farhan is employed, seeking divine blessings for their arduous path ahead.

The friends spent months preparing physically and mentally, starting with a trial walk from Alor Setar to Hatyai, Thailand, in December 2023. That experience solidified their decision to undertake the full journey to Mecca. “After that initial trek, we committed to saving rigorously and training daily,” Farhan explained.

Funding the trip entirely through personal savings, the pair emphasized their reliance on faith rather than sponsorships.

“We performed Istikhara prayers for guidance and consulted seasoned travelers who’ve completed similar pilgrimages,” Farhan added, highlighting their meticulous preparation.

Route and Resilience

Shamsul Azrin, a businessman and father of a young child, outlined their flexible itinerary. While they aim to walk 25–30 kilometers daily, they’ve mapped a hybrid route combining walking and transit:

• Phase 1: Walk from Malaysia to Hatyai, Thailand.

• Phase 2: Train to Bangkok, then fly to New Delhi, India.

• Phase 3: Trek through Lahore and Karachi (Pakistan), Bandar Abbas (Iran), and Dubai (UAE) via ferry.
• Final Leg: Journey to Riyadh and Madinah before reaching Mecca.

Before departing, Farhan expressed gratitude for the encouragement from loved ones. “Alhamdulillah, we begin with prayers from our families and supporters like Al Bukhari and Azizul,” he told reporters. Both men urged Malaysians to keep them in their prayers for a safe return.

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