‘Little Hajj’ Teaches Preschoolers About Pilgrimage

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) – As Muslims worldwide prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage in the Holy Land, thousands of Malaysian preschoolers experienced a symbolic journey through the Little Hajj Mega 2025 programme, organised by Little Caliphs International Sdn Bhd (LCISB).

The Federal Territory Mosque was a major focal point as 3,767 six-year-old students from 119 Little Caliphs kindergarten branches across the Klang Valley, all dressed in ihram attire, took part in a Hajj simulation. They joined nearly 12,000 other students across the country in the activity, which earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for The Largest Simultaneous Participation of Children in a Hajj Performing Programme.

Starting as early as 9 am, the programme saw students perform the key rites of Hajj—including wuquf, sa’i, stoning of the jamrah, tahalul, and tawaf around a 10-foot replica of the Kaabah—guided by teachers acting as mutawwif (pilgrimage guides).

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LCISB Founder and Chief Academic Officer Datin Dr Sabariah Faridah Jamaluddin said the programme is not only aimed at helping children understand the fifth pillar of Islam, but also at instilling values such as leadership, discipline, and responsibility through project-based learning.

“Through this approach, which requires at least two weeks, students are comprehensively exposed to various subjects related to the Hajj pilgrimage, including faith (aqidah), worship (ibadah), geography, history, language, numeracy, and arts and craft,” she said at a press conference today.

“This process allows them to ask questions, make suggestions, correct mistakes, reflect, and produce creative outputs as part of their learning experience—for example, a simulation of animal sacrifice,” she added.

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She further explained that the annual programme actively engages students through creative activities such as making jamrah stones out of paper, building Kaabah models, learning to wear the ihram, and simulating animal sacrifice.

“While implementation may vary depending on each kindergarten’s creativity, it still adheres to the standard learning plan developed by LCISB.

“In addition to benefitting the children, the programme also serves as a platform for parents and kindergarten operators to improve their understanding and awareness of Hajj among young children,” she said.

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One participant, Sumayya Mohd Khairul Nizam from Little Caliphs Prima Sri Gombak, expressed her excitement about taking part in the simulation for the first time with her classmates.

“It was so much fun. I liked doing the tawaf around the Kaabah. I want to go to Makkah with my mom and dad someday,” she said.

Another participant, Fathiyya Summayyah Mohd Zainal from Little Caliphs Setia Alam, said the experience helped her better understand the Hajj rituals in a fun and engaging environment.

“I’m happy because I got to meet many friends and learn about Hajj... it felt like I was really in Makkah,” she said.

-- BERNAMA