MAKKAH, 24 September 2007 — It is a dream for Muslims the world over to pray at the Grand Mosque, to circumambulate the Kaaba, to kiss the Black Stone and to visit the Prophet’s Mosque at least once in their lives. Every Muslim yearns for the elevating spiritual experience accompanying prayers at the two holy mosques. The experience is comparable to a rebirth with absolution from all past sins. The believers, particularly the poor, save their hard-earned money over years until it will suffice to buy tickets to and from Saudi Arabia where the two holy cities are situated. They do not mind making substantial sacrifices, such as selling their homes and even the means of their scanty livelihood in exchange for the few days they will be able to spend in the vicinity of the House of God.

An Indian pilgrim, Ameena Rahi, for instance, said with tears of joy up in her eyes that she had fulfilled her dream of visiting the holy cities this Ramadan despite her family’s poverty. “We sold our house and a good part of the small plot of land we owned in order to buy the tickets and pay for the expenses of visiting Makkah and Madinah in this blessed month which is considered equal to a full-fledged Haj. I believe that all our sufferings have been compensated for by the mere sight of Kaaba and praying at its walls.”

Her son, Abdul Baqi, 27, said, “We don’t regret the sale of our land for the rewards and the joyful experience we had by this pilgrimage. I don’t mind even if we have to begin from scratch when we return.”

He said it was not very easy for Muslims from his country to come for Umrah after the Saudi authorities tightened conditions for selecting pilgrims. Aged men and families, however, do not find any difficulty in getting the visas. Abdul Baqi believed that he was allowed to come because he was accompanying his mother.

Fateema Muhammad Ali, who came for Umrah with a group of Tunisian pilgrims, said as she sobbed loudly, “This is a rare spiritual experience and we poor people cannot afford to pay for the travel to Makkah frequently like some rich people do. We believe that we will not face any difficulty in staying here until the Haj. In fact, we perform the pilgrimage on behalf of our sick parents as well. They could not undertake the long journey and so they contributed to my expenses.”

A Sudanese pilgrim said, “We resort to methods such as chit funds to raise the money for this cherished trip.” Her husband Abdul Aati added, “We want to come again and pray more and more here. The call of Makkah is irresistible. We also want to bring our children next time, if Allah wills.”

With tears flowing down her cheeks, Jaleelah Abdul Salam, an Egyptian woman in her mid-fifties, said she had had to wait a long time before coming to Makkah. “I have been working hard for many years to save the money for the journey. I had almost lost hope and had begun to believe that Allah had not destined me to make the pilgrimage.” Jaleelah added that she wept for a long time when she first saw the Kaaba. She could not believe her eyes and even thought she was dreaming, she said.

Her neighbors collected part of the money required for her Umrah expenses. “What my neighbors wanted in return is that I pray for them at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque,” she said, adding: “I am lucky. What prevents many people in our country from making Umrah is their lack of money.”

Amnah Makki, 66, another Egyptian woman, sitting at Bab Al-Salam after her first Saei (running between Safa and Marwa), said, “My grandson paid the expenses of my journey to Makkah and Madinah. He is working in the Kingdom and every time he came home, he would promise me he would take me for Umrah next time. After many years, he finally arranged for the journey shortly before this Ramadan and now I am here. He is a good boy and I thank God.”