1. Today a year ago, my wife and I were in Arafah.
2. Met my cousin, Zaaba and my former classmate, Jamal K there among the millions pilgrims. Luarbiasa.
3. That evening, we left for Muzalifah to spent some time there and collect the jumrat stones. We were supposed to leave after midnight and way before Subuh for Mina. Things (dedicated buses for Malaysian pilgrims) ran smoothly till just before Subuh. KT78 buses stopped coming by 3.30 am. One arrived at 8.30 am but was already full with Chinese pilgrims. The weather was hot and we saw a red sand storm lurking in the vicinity (several km away). With no shades, drinks and breakfast, I pity those elderly pilgrims. Finally two buses came at 9.30 am and we quickly hopped in one. Men had to stand to allow the female pilgrims to seat.
4. The bus had to travel along a basically crawling traffic. By the time we reached Mina, it was almost 2 pm. I have already had a mild heat stroke! We were left with some rice and gravy. No more protein. Nevertheless, we were still grateful to Allah. I had been informed that some pilgrims were still stuck in Muzalifah.
5. Alhamdullillah, I managed to recuperate. By midnight (after throwing the jumrat an hour before the midnight), my wife and I joined many others walking back to Mecca. I met Zaaba and Jamal K again during the walk. It was an unforgetable experience.
6. By the time we reached Mecca, it was around 2 am. My wife and I decided to sleep first (at our hotel) and performed the tawaf after Subuh prayer. I stopped to shave my head on the way to the hotel.
7. After 'Asr, we took a van to Mina, threw the jamrats and spent a night in Mina. After Subuh, we threw out last jamrats and took a van back to Mecca and completed our haj.
