Malaysian hopes space trip will get him closer to God

Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said on Tuesday he hopes to get closer to God when he ventures to the stars this week during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The voyage was “a small step for me but definitely a great leap for the Malaysian people,” he told a news conference conducted from behind a glass screen to prevent pre-launch infection. The man due to become the first Malaysian in space said he felt a sense of duty for the world’s Muslims ahead of Wednesday’s launch.

“Being a Muslim going to space is a big responsibility for me, not only before the Malaysian people but all Muslims all over the world,” he said alongside Russian cosmonaut Yury Malenchenko and US astronaut Peggy Whitson, with whom he is to fly to the International Space Station (ISS).

Muszaphar, a 35-year-old doctor and part-time model, will be among just a few Muslims to have ventured to space.

He will arrive at the ISS in the closing hours of Ramadan, staying there for the Eid festival that follows, and is to conduct scientific experiments, including on cancer cells. He is taking with him Malaysian food and special Eid biscuits for fellow crew members.

The visit has been arranged as part of a billion-dollar purchase by Malaysia of Russian fighter jets, Russia being the operator of the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Muszaphar said that for health reasons he would not hug his parents goodbye, but that he had their blessing.

“I do hope to at least see them through a screen. I was told I’m not allowed to hug them.

“My mum has always been worried about me. Any mother would be worried about her son but I got her blessings.... My dad has been very positive and said ‘Don’t come back until you’ve been to space’,” said Muszaphar.

Baikonur, Wednesday, AFP