MALAYSIAN BIKERS REACH JEDDAH TO PERFORM UMRAH

11 Malaysian bikers, starting from Kuala Lumpur, travelled 11 countries and reached Jeddah to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. They accomplished the mission in 45 days, travelling 17,800 km. A four-wheel support vehicle with four people followed them throughout the journey described by the expedition leader Haji Mohamed Assir as “most satisfying and fulfilling.” The expedition flagged off in Kuala Lumpur on May 15 by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, was received in Jeddah by Malaysian Consul General Hidayat Abdul Hamid at the country’s Consulate in Jeddah on June 28. Hamid said the journey made the Malaysians proud as it was the first ever expedition from Southeast Asia to Saudi Arabia on motorcycle to perform Umrah. He said the bikers were inspired by early Arabian travellers who traversed the Silk Road from the Middle East to Asia. Apart from performing Umrah, the purpose of the expedition was to promote friendship and foster goodwill with the people of the countries along the route. To reach Saudi Arabia, the bikers passed through Thailand, Laos, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan.