Outdoors
Youngest SE Asian to Scale Everest Starts Journey Around the World
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Jul 11, 2007, 9:24pm

Muhamad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin, or Qobin as he is known to family and friends, will start an arduous journey few have attempted before. He plans to run and bike across the United States from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., starting Thursday, July 12, 2007. No stranger to arduous tasks, he is the youngest Southeast Asian (and Muslim) to climb Mount Everest.

"As a Malaysian, I believe very strongly in the power of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural harmony," said Qobin. "We \have a very peaceful country that maintains stability and progress between its many different races, religions and cultures, and my goal is to shed light on the balance and cooperation that we have."

Why attempt such a difficult journey? Qobin plans to bike and run in 20 countries in 300 days, across North America, Asia and Europe in order to spread a message of peace. Pushing himself to achieve each of his difficult dreams, he would love to inspire other young people to achieve theirs as well.

His home country of Malaysia is sponsoring him on his journey as part of their 50th (golden) anniversary of their independence. You can visit their website to watch his progress over the upcoming months.

Tentative Schedule for Qobin's Journey