Wednesday December 28, 2005

Bid to drape pyramid with giant national flag

SUNGAI BULOH: A group of 35 Malaysians is heading for Egypt next year to make a bid at covering the Great Pyramid of Giza with a giant national flag and those of the 57 members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The expedition, estimated to cost close to RM200,000, will be funded by the Selangor Government, Youth and Sports Ministry, Ex-Servicemen’s Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), and programme sponsors.

Called the “Malaysian Peace Mission” and organised by Perhebat, it is scheduled to be held from May 15 to 27 and is set to enter the Malaysia Book of Records.

LEAVING HIS MARK: Najib putting his signature on a ‘Jalur Gemilang’ during the launching ceremony in Sungai Buloh yesterday as members of the expedition look on.— Bernamapic

Team members, comprising trainers from the National Service Training of Trainers Centre and Perhebat staff, will make the attempt to drape the 210m by 110m Jalur Gemilang and 57 other flags on the pyramid on May 18.

The event will be aired live in the Selamat Pagi Malaysia segment on TV3.

Expedition leader and director of the programme Muhamad Nur Azrul Che Zabani will also hold his wedding in front of the pyramid on the same day.

During the 13-day expedition, the team will also visit several mosques, historical places in Cairo, Jeddah and Mecca, and also perform the umrah (minor pilgrimage) in Mecca.

Two Cabinet ministers who have yet to be named are slated to join the mission.

The mission was in response to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call to the nation to produce “towering Malaysians”, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said at the launch of the expedition here yesterday.

He also said it was aimed at promoting the country and showing the strong support for the Prime Minister, who is OIC chairman, in his efforts to uphold the dignity and image of Muslim nations.

More News