Malaysians - (Malaccans) make their mark on the mataf in Makkah

Now a few months later, I find myself in the same region but this time in Saudi Arabia, first in Madinah and from now till almost the end of October, in the blessed city of Makkah. This is an auspicious time to be resident in Makkah. In less than two weeks, Muslims the world over will look at their calendar and find it would already be 10th of Zulhijjah. This is the time when Muslims in the millions will be gathered at the plains of Arafat huddled in contemplation, supplication and prayer.

To us Malaysians back home it is a time for feasting for Hari Raya Idil Adha and the act of the Qorban – the ritual sacrifice of selected livestock which which is a broad re-enactment of Prophet Abraham’s (Nabi Ibrahim) absolute faith in Allah’s command that would have led to the slaughter of his son Prophet Ismail.

In performing my duties filing back reports on the progress of the haj with the Tabung Haji-Media contingent (we have been away on this assignment since September 3), I have met a number of Malaysians who call Makkah home, not just for worship but also for work.

Among them were four Malaysians – more precisely Anak Melaka (sons of Melaka– who, to me, have the ultimate job in their profession. They are involved in the construction of the elevated mataf in Masjidil Haram which is a part of the larger on-going redevelopment project that is taking place in Makkah now.

MALAYSIANS MAKE THE MARK

Oh wait, there’s actually 12 more of them (from other Malaysian states as well, but still the sting of of cincalok is all pervasive), who we could not meet as they were working shifts; on a job that no one appears to take a day off – such is their dedication.

Dedication comes with it rewards – and for them, not just monetary. Which job in the world comes with a view; like no other? This gang of Malaysians face the Kaabah throughout their shift and for Muslims, seeing and being close to the Kaabah is a lifelong wish everyone harbours.

Leader of this gang is Hairul Nizam Baharuddin, 36 who is site manager, while his three colleagues are fellow Malaccans Mohd Norsham Hashim, 40, Muliyana Ahmad, 39 and Armi Azizul Arifin, 35,who are building supervisors.

What makes these guys special and stand out from their peers back home?

GIVING IT A GOOD GO

Its their gregarious, willing-to-give-it-a-go spirit that shines through immediately. No shrinking violet when it comes to coming up to complete strangers to strike up a conversation. Of course they are men of substance – ability in their specialised fields that make them suitable for the job at hand.

Hairul for instance took one of those Computer Aided Design courses organised by MARA in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and can read off architectural drawings like Mozart can fathom the tonal value of bars, crotchets and minims to create melodic sweet music.

Providence – you do need a bit of that – came along in the shape of a German-Muslim technocrat named Yahya Weimer who offers composite technology construction materials solutions globally.

The Melaka boys worked for his company on many big projects in Malaysia and their contribution, industry and diligence so impressed the German who sought them to come and work on his newly-won projects in Makkah. The first was the Makkah clock tower on the Bait Al Arab and the second is the mataf tower.

CLIMBING THE CONSTRUCTION LADDER

What is interesting about Hairul’s subordinates is that the nature of their job requires them to possess rope climbing skills certified by the Industrial Rope Access Trades Association (IRATA).

Their jobs take them to dizzying heights, often dangling from ropes reaching into nooks and crannies to inspect finishes, certify joints, place bolts and confirm connections.

The boys had to have a head for heights to begin with.

They had a hand in putting up the exterior façade and fittings of the Makkah Clock Tower – you know, the “Big Ben”-lookalike, that is way way bigger; that perhaps I should call it Bigger Ben!

Having completed that job, they moved down to ground level next, feet still not quite touching earth yet as they were to build a different kind of tower – the mataf.

MATAF TAKES SHAPE

The mataf is where the tawaf is conducted – circumambulation seven times round the Kaabah. This ritual normally takes under half-an-hour to complete when undertaken at a leisurely sedate pace.

When Masjidil Haram is packed though, it has in the past taken one full hour to complete one circuit.

The Saudis – the ruling King holds the hereditary title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Masjidil Haram and Masjidi Nabawi – in his wisdom, recalled the miracle of Moses (Prophet Musa) who parted the Red Sea. Though not quite as maritime in audacity, His Majesty decreed that a circular tower round the Kaabah should be created. This would form a raised platform to relieve the pressure of numbers.

The German Waimer secured the contract (from the BinLaden main contractors) and entrusted Hairul and his boys as his key lieutenants.

Starting work in the month of Syaaban, they had a month to get the top floor ready for use within four weeks for the Ramadan rush. This they fulfilled as the structures and claddings were composite materials which lends itself to speedy construction. Starting this week (two weeks to wuquf), the boys are returning to Malaysia for a well-deserved break as all work has to stop so as not to disrupt the ritual of the hajj. For now, the raised mataf is restricted for the use of pilgrims in wheelchairs.

WARM GREETINGS OF FAMILIARITY

When they come back and resume the rest of the work after the hajj crowd returns home, Malaysians shouldn’t be surprised if some equally-Malaysian looking steelworker-type dudes in hard hats draw their attention with the greeting; “…apa kabau ber (how are you)” in typical jovial Malacca style.

This story could be so different if Herr Waimer had turned to Linkedin to secure any number of mercenary construction engineers touting their services. He needn’t and didn’t - he knew he could trust the boys from Melaka.

So it has come to be, Hairul and his band of merry men looks set to have a huge say in how Makkah is being transformed.

Traders in the Holy City are well known for peddling goods stamped boldly with the Made in China mark. Where it matters in Makkah, it will bear the proud stamp of Made in Malaysia – more precisely, Melaka!