Hajj Without a Queue, Hajj Without Guidance (Haji Tanpa Giliran, Haji Tanpa Bimbingan)
Writer: Nor Azam Hj Kamisan
Join me on a gripping journey of faith, challenge, and unexpected revelations as I navigate the complex world of hajj without the traditional guidance and support. From the thrilling highs of securing a visa and the hope of a smooth pilgrimage to the bewildering lows of last-minute changes and unfulfilled promises, this episode unveils the raw and unfiltered reality of undertaking one of Islam's most sacred rites. Will faith, determination, and divine intervention be enough to see me through? Discover the trials, triumphs, and lessons learned in this heartfelt and eye-opening account.
Indonesia, with the largest Muslim population, has a quota of 241,000 pilgrims, while other countries like Pakistan and India also have significant quotas. In comparison, Malaysia's quota is relatively small, which exacerbates the issue of long waiting times for prospective pilgrims. The global Hajj quota system is indeed a significant factor in why many Malaysians choose to go on their own. The Hajj quota for each country is determined by Saudi Arabia based on the Muslim population of each country.
For 2024, Malaysia's Hajj quota is set at 31,600 pilgrims. Given the limited quota and the high demand, many Malaysians opt for alternative means, such as obtaining a private or mujamalah visa, which allows them to perform Hajj outside the official quota system. This approach is often more expensive and involves more risks, but it provides an opportunity for those who might otherwise have to wait many years for an official slot .
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
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It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.