Jumping the Queue

We always hear from the media that our Hajis i. e. pilgrims are the most-disciplined among the Moslems performing the Haj and that we Malaysian Moslems pose little problem to the Saudi authorities.

Are we so? Yes to a certain extend. I happened to be in a group comprising mostly people from the land development schemes. Initially I welcome their company as they are very friendly, easy-going and not aloof at all. Everywhere we go fellow pilgrims always enquire about us and make friendly chats.

It is well-said that Malaysians are well-fed or put it in another way we are so well-endowed with food. So there is no reason for a Malaysian to fight for food.

My experience in the Holy Land with a sizeable number of hajis seemed to demolish that myths. My first shock came when I witnessed a mad rush for food at the hotel's cafe. There was definitely no queue...before your hand can reach a spoon - yes a spoon at the buffet table - other hands - females and males - swarmed the area and by the time the crowd went away I couldn't get a spoon for my soup. Instead there were spilt liquids all over the table.

The second embarassing time was during meal times. A pilgrim was entitled to a packet food each. Again there were no queues! And the hajis and hajjahs who succeeded in getting the food packets were seen carrying five to ten packets each. And before long, many pilgrims were left without the allotted food packets. Very embarrasing to the hotel workers. At one stage, an announcement has to be made to the effect that the pilgrims were urged not to take 'extra' food packets!

That's the other side of Malaysians that I didn't realised existed.