Latest news with #Rohaya
The Star
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Elderly couple fulfil dream to perform haj
Hassan and his wife Rohaya. THIS year has been special for an elderly couple from Johor Baru who got the chance to perform the haj after a 14-year wait. Retiree Hassan Abdul Hamid, 76, said he was grateful that his dream of visiting the Holy Land came true. 'I received a call informing me that I had been chosen to perform the haj about a week before the fasting month. 'I was overjoyed, and so was my family when I told them the news,' he said to the media during the send-off ceremony for haj pilgrims at Senai International Airport. The former Johor Baru City Council mechanic was among the 3,800 pilgrims who departed for Kuala Lumpur en route to Mecca. They were sent off by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid and state youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah. Hassan, who was also among the oldest pilgrims in the batch, was with his wife, Rohaya Abdul Kadir. (From second left) Mohd Hairi, Mohd Fared and Onn Hafiz with haj pilgrims at Senai International Airport in Johor. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star Rohaya, 69, said she was thankful to have lived long enough to finally perform the pilgrimage. 'In 2020, I was placed in an induced coma at the intensive care unit of Hospital Sultanah Aminah after contracting Covid-19. 'Everyone thought I would not survive, but miraculously, I recovered,' said the mother of eight and grandmother of 23. 'I am grateful to have been given a second chance at life, and now, to be able to perform the haj.' Rohaya, who manages funeral rites at a mosque in Johor Baru, said her journey was sponsored by an anonymous donor. 'My husband was the one who received the offer from Tabung Haji, but he asked for me to accompany him as he suffers from asthma, and a donor stepped in.' In his speech, Onn Hafiz said, 'I believe under the guidance of Tabung Haji, state government and Johor Islamic Religious Council, our pilgrims have been well prepared to fulfil their religious duties. 'Take this opportunity to perform your haj with sincerity. I also ask that you pray for the well-being and future of our state,' he said. Onn Hafiz also reminded pilgrims to pray for the state's continued peace and prosperity during their time in the Holy Land. Meanwhile, Mohd Fared said the 3,800 Johor residents performing the haj included 500 pilgrims under state government sponsorship. He said the number was the same allocated to the state in recent years. 'However, the state government will continue working closely with Tabung Haji to apply for an increased quota,' he said.
New Straits Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Media Prima celebrates staff transformation in Weight Loss Challenge 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Media Prima Berhad (MPB) celebrated the health achievements of its staff today at the prize-giving ceremony for the MPB Weight Loss Challenge 2025 in Balai Berita Bangsar. The three-month programme, held from Jan 14 to April 14, saw 126 employees from various departments and subsidiaries take part in the wellness initiative, aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles and building a resilient, energetic workforce. In the male category, Aidi Shamsuddin from the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) emerged as the top winner after shedding 22kg, earning the RM2,000 grand prize, followed by Mohd Shawal Ismail (21.5kg) and Azizulhelmy Mohamad (20.3kg). "It was tough, especially during Hari Raya. I had to control my eating even then, but I managed to reach my target. "I exercised, did strength training, cardio, and watched my diet by increasing protein and cutting carbohydrates," said Aidi. Meanwhile, in the female category, Laila Mohd Zain from the REV Media Group secured first place after losing 16.7kg, followed by Nurul Akmar Razehan Abd Aziz came in second (14.5kg) and Nur Aiza Abd Mutalib third (11.8kg). "The most difficult challenge was the lifestyle change and staying consistent. "It's easy in the first few weeks when you're still excited, but after a month or two, it becomes harder. "Still, my friends and family were really supportive, and that helped me stay motivated," said Laila. Participants were evaluated based on achieving at least a 10 per cent reduction in their starting weight, with the top five in each category receiving cash prizes ranging from RM500 to RM2,000. Mini challenges were also conducted every three weeks between January and March, offering RM200 prizes to the male and female participants who recorded the highest percentage of weight loss in each round. Also present was MPB group chairman Datuk Seri Syed Hussian Aljunid who handed out the prizes to the winners. Programme advisor Dr Rohaya Ramli reminded participants of the bigger picture behind the challenge. "Since 2023, more than half of our population falls into the obesity category. "This is alarming, as obesity is the root cause of many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. "Consistency is key. Health is not a sprint, it's a marathon. Small, steady changes can lead to major improvements over time," said Dr Rohaya. MPB Human Resources Department adviser Nor Arzlin and Dr Rohaya were also recognised for their guidance, encouragement and support throughout the challenge. This challenge marks the sixth time it has been held since 2010 to promote a healthier lifestyle to MPB staff.
Barnama
15-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Generous Individual Makes 69-year-old Woman's Haj Dream Come True
JOHOR BAHRU, May 15 (Bernama) -- After 14 years of patiently waiting and praying for the chance to fulfil her dream of performing the haj, Rohaya Abdul Kadir never expected she would finally be granted the opportunity to go to the Holy Land - sponsored by a kind-hearted individual. Rohaya, 69, said her entire pilgrimage to the Holy Land was sponsored by a generous individual as an expression of gratitude after she recovered from a 25-day stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19. She said the sponsorship was the most meaningful gift she had ever received. However, she declined to reveal the name of the generous individual. 'I was admitted to the ICU at Sultanah Aminah Hospital for 25 days due to COVID-19 in 2020. 'The generous individual was overjoyed at my recovery and expressed her gratitude by sponsoring my pilgrimage to the Holy Land,' she told reporters at the haj pilgrims send-off ceremony at the Senai International Airport here today. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid and state Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah. Rohaya, who has been performing the bathing and shrouding of female Muslim bodies at Masjid Pulai Utama since 2017, said testing positive for COVID-19 was a deeply challenging experience - one that ultimately strengthened her sense of gratitude for life. 'After testing positive, Allah granted me the blessing of life and allowed me to return to my normal routine. On top of that, a kind-hearted individual came forward to sponsor my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I am truly grateful. Even during my illness, people continued to offer support and donations,' she said. Rohaya, who is travelling to the Holy Land with her husband, is among the 142 pilgrims from Johor who departed for Makkah today.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Covid-19 survivors grateful for haj opportunity after 14-year wait
KULAI: A married couple, both badly affected by Covid-19 during the pandemic, were overcome with gratitude today as they prepared to depart for the haj after 14 years of being on the waiting list. Rohaya Abdul Kadir, 69, who was once placed in a medically-induced coma for 25 days during the 2020 pandemic, and her husband Hassan Abdul Hamid, 76, who spent 10 days in the intensive care unit due to the virus and asthma, said their journey to the Holy Land felt like a miracle. The couple were among 142 pilgrims selected under the Johor government-sponsored haj programme's second batch who flew out today. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi attended the send-off ceremony, held at Senai International Airport, here. "When my husband received the haj call on Feb 20, just before Ramadan, we were shocked and overjoyed. I immediately performed sujud syukur and vowed to fast in gratitude," said Rohaya, her voice breaking. Although only her husband received the official invitation, Rohaya's application to accompany him was approved, and a benefactor stepped forward to fully sponsor her. "After surviving Covid-19 and being kept on a ventilator for nearly a month, I never thought I would live nor be granted the opportunity to perform haj," she said. The couple, from Taman Universiti in Skudai, were surrounded by all eight of their children in the run-up to their departure. Rohaya, a mortuary assistant since 2017, said her children packed her husband's medication and reminded her to take good care of him throughout the pilgrimage. "I only pray that Allah grants us strength and good health to be able to complete one of the five pillars in Islam." Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mekah in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. The other four pillars are the declaration of faith, daily prayers, almsgiving (zakat), and fasting during Ramadan. Hassan, a former mechanic with the Johor Baru City Council, retired in 2006.
