MAKKAH: Despite the restrictions they face during their everyday life, the indomitable spirit displayed by Palestinians enables them to face challenges to reach the holy sites.
It is this spirit that transforms into pure joy for the precious few who are able to perform Haj.
“The Israelis put various restrictions on us. They even prevent youths from going to Haj. Only elderly people are allowed to go and most of them cannot perform everything independently. Thank God, we were able to make it here. We are thankful to the Saudi government who served us with medications and food when we arrived here,” said Yousuf Al-Akad, a Palestinian pilgrim.
Um Ahmad, a 65-year-old Palestinian mother who lost two of her sons in Israeli attacks, said that she couldn’t believe her eyes on arriving at the holy sites.
“We mourn our losses, but do not feel overtly sad when we lose our kids, because almost every Palestinian mother has lost a child or two or even three. We do not comfort mothers but we celebrate such occasions when our children sacrifice their lives for our religion and land.”
According to Ukasha, another pilgrim, their presence in the Kingdom is just a “miracle.”
“We cannot believe that those stressful hours are gone. They (Israelis) prevented us from going in the first place. Then they started questioning us for hours. Even women were treated in an inhuman manner,” added Ukasha.
“We are living an insecure life. Our children are horrified. I am praying for a Palestine state and for unity,” said Abdul Karim Abu Shuaira, who lost three of his children in Israeli attacks.
