https://arab.news/baf6n
- Ahmed Tamim is among the oldest pilgrims on Hajj this year
- Son Muhammed says 鈥榟is eyes filled with tears鈥� when selected
JEDDAH: Ahmed Tamim, 98, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing Hajj this year.
Tamim is a native of Egypt鈥檚 Sohag governorate, located on the west bank of the Nile, and is one of the oldest pilgrims on this year鈥檚 Hajj.
He arrived in Madinah on May 18 accompanied by his son, to embark on the sacred journey that is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it.
They are among 13,062 Egyptian pilgrims who were selected through the annual lottery to perform the pilgrimage this year.
His son Muhammed told Arab News: 鈥淚t all started with a phone call from my friends who said the Hajj lottery is open, aren鈥檛 you going to apply for your father?
鈥淚 tried to contact the lottery mission, and they told me tomorrow is the last day (and) anyone who hasn鈥檛 applied can still apply.
鈥淎t the time, we hadn鈥檛 applied, but after that call, I decided to apply for my father, and thank God, his name was added to the reserve list due to his advanced age.鈥�
He added: 鈥淓very year he used to wish to perform Hajj or Umrah. This time, when he found out his name was called after all these years, his eyes filled with tears and he reacted with happiness, he couldn鈥檛 believe it.鈥�
Muhammed said his father is insisting on performing all the rituals unaided despite his difficulties in walking and hearing.
鈥淗e always (said) 鈥榯his is an opportunity Allah has chosen me, and I want to experience it to the fullest.鈥欌€�
Muhammad added: 鈥淓veryone in Sohag is happy for my father, because he鈥檚 not only the oldest pilgrim, but he鈥檚 a very respected religious person in the governorate.
鈥淢ay Allah accept his Hajj and we are all so glad that he finally made Hajj.鈥�