Hatim Al-Masoudi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette



MAKKAH – For 30 years, 70-year-old Shahenaz and her husband have been saving money to perform Haj and visit the Prophet’s Mosque.



They made a pact on the first day of their marriage to set aside a small amount of money for Haj every year.



One day, their son fell sick and they had to take him to hospital and needed money to pay for his treatment.



They borrowed from their neighbors and decided not to touch the cash they had been saving for Haj, no matter what.



Thirty years later they found the money they raised would not be enough to cover their Haj trip.



Instead of waiting another two years to save more money, Shahenaz and her husband sold their land to fulfill their lifelong dream.



She said: “My husband and I are getting older and we might not live to see next year.



“We’re extremely happy that we’re in Makkah now and we’ll never forget this experience.”