Millions of Muslims from around the world are preparing to embark on their pilgrimage to Mecca, a spiritual journey that many consider to be the ultimate moment in their lives. This year’s hajj is particularly significant as it marks the first full pilgrimage after the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the scale of the ritual in recent years. The Associated Press spoke to several pilgrims from around the world who are finally ready to embark on their journey, after years of waiting.
Huda Zaqqout, a 64-year-old woman from the Gaza Strip, has been waiting for years to make the pilgrimage, but had never been selected. This year, she was overjoyed when her name was announced as one of this year’s hajj pilgrims. For her, the trip is particularly challenging due to the difficulties of traveling from Gaza, a blockaded territory. Despite the challenges, she is thrilled to be able to go on hajj, and has spent months preparing for the journey.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, 85-year-old Husin bin Nisan has been working as a volunteer traffic warden for more than 30 years, saving every penny he could in the hopes of one day making the pilgrimage. After 15 years of waiting, Husin was finally allocated a place on this year’s hajj, much to his joy. The Indonesian government has received an additional 8,000 spots this year, allowing more pilgrims like Husin to make the journey.
Finally, Saadiha Khaliq, a Pakistani-American engineer from Tennessee, is hoping to make the pilgrimage with her parents this year. The pandemic brought the importance of making the pilgrimage into sharp focus for her, and she has spent months preparing for the journey, seeking forgiveness from family members and clearing any financial obligations in preparation for the spiritual pilgrimage.
For all the pilgrims embarking on this year’s hajj, it is a chance to seek forgiveness for their sins and to walk in the footsteps of revered prophets like Muhammad. Despite the challenges they may face along the way, they are all filled with a sense of joy and gratitude to be able to embark on this ultimate spiritual journey.
