After Nearly four decades of perseverance and savings, an Indonesian couple has finally fulfilled their lifelong dream of performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Their journey, made possible through the “Mecca Route” Initiative—a scheme designed to streamline the process for pilgrims from select countries—marks a momentous milestone in their lives.
The couple touched down in Saudi Arabia recently, filled with emotion and gratitude. “I am overjoyed,” the husband shared, his eyes shining with happiness. “I couldn’t believe I would finally see the Holy Kaaba with my own eyes.” The revered cube-shaped structure at the Grand Mosque in Mecca is the ultimate destination for millions of Muslims during Hajj, and for him, it was a dream finally realized.
Expressing heartfelt thanks, he told the Saudi news agency SPA, “I thank Allah first, and everyone who helped us along the way. I especially want to thank those in charge of the Mecca Route Initiative, which made everything much easier than I expected.”
Reflecting on their arduous journey, he recounted how they began saving for the pilgrimage back in 1986, amid challenging economic conditions. “Despite the hardships, we never lost hope,” he said. “My wife and I kept saving steadily, and finally, this year, we were able to register on the list of pilgrims.”
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This year’s Hajj is expected to see about 221,000 Indonesians making the pilgrimage, making Indonesia the country with the largest Muslim population participating in the rites scheduled for early next month.
The “Mecca Route” Initiative aims to simplify and expedite the process for pilgrims from specific nations. It includes electronic visa issuance, biometric registration, and health verification—ensuring that the journey from home to the holy sites is as smooth as possible.
For this couple, their decades of patience have paid off, and their story inspires countless others to hold onto hope, no matter how long the journey may seem.
