MAKKAH, 6 July 2007 — Loved by locals in Makkah’s old Al-Malawy district, which is located two kilometers from the Grand Mosque, Fatima Muhammad is an elderly and popular lady who from dusk to dawn sits on a sidewalk entertaining children, eating pies and drinking sodas.
Fatima is well known among people in the district, which is renowned for its community spirit that envelops both expatriates and locals. Fatima’s story is a strange one. By day, the woman, who is in her 80s, sits on a sidewalk and then disappears at night.
“We see her everyday. She changes her place often and is always jubilant,” said Muhammad Al-Ghamdi. “It’s a bit strange, because she can be seen during the day and disappears at night. Nobody knows where she goes,” he added.
Waleed, a local grocery shop owner, says he sees Fatima everyday. “I’ve been seeing her for countless years. Ever since I can remember. It doesn’t matter what type of weather it is. Even during the hot summer weather she still comes,” he said, adding that Fatima prays the noon and late afternoon prayers in a local mosque.
“She eats in her place. Everyone knows she likes sodas, milk, pies and pastries. So that’s what they usually hand to her,” said Waleed.
Abdul Rahim, a local Saudi teenager, said Fatima is always known to be very happy. “She’s got a joyful spirit and good ethics. She’s succeeded in making all people round here love and respect her. She’s adored by children and loved by adults. If you sit with her she has interesting real-life stories to tell,” he said.
Worshippers outside the local mosque also have good things to say about Fatima. “She meets the youth every day after prayers to tell them stories and teach them lessons,” said one old man leaving the mosque. “People enjoy her stories and spend time with her. Sometimes she speaks about herself and her poor circumstances that tears people hearts,” he added.
“I’m a very old woman. I was alive at the time of King Abdul Aziz and I live on this mountain,” Fatima told Arab News, pointing to a steep mountain close by. “I climb down early in the morning everyday to collect alms that help me live. I eat breakfast here on the sidewalk and stay the whole day until nightfall. I then return home,” she said, adding that she has no one to look after her except God.
Fatima hopes to one day meet Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. “I have heard so much about the King of Humanity,” she said. “I have heard a lot about his goodness and that he cares about citizens. I would love to meet him some day.”
