Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — An Egyptian woman pilgrim praised God first and then Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for enabling her to perform this year’s Hajj.

The pilgrim was caught unawares when she got the opportunity to realize her long-cherished dream at a time when she was preparing to leave the Kingdom on final exit due to the expiry of her husband’s residency permit (iqama).

It was the directives of King Salman to extend the validity of residency and visit visas that enabled her to perform Hajj this year after she had lost hope due to the expiry of iqama three months ago, the pilgrim said in an interview with Al-Ekhbariya channel.

“It was totally unbelievable and incredible for me to get the opportunity to fulfill the longtime spiritual desire, and when that happened, I prostrated in front of the God Almighty, showing my gratitude to him,” she said.

The woman pilgrim said that while she was preparing to leave the Kingdom after the expiry of her husband’s residency permit three months ago, she received a text message informing her that the residency permit has been extended and that made her dream come true.

She praised the services that were provided during the Hajj, especially in the security and organizational aspects, and thanked all the concerned authorities and agencies for providing excellent and extraordinary services.