By Neelam Rahim

Many emotional farewells and tears at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where the first batch of Hujaj have bid farewell to their loved ones as they left to embark on a once in a lifetime journey to the holy lands of Makkatul Mukarrama and Madina tul Munawara.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic restricting travel, after the accreditation processes have been completed, South African Hujaj have been allowed to travel for Hajj year 1443 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time in two years.

Radio Islam wishing all the Hujaj a safe and accepted Haj speaks to some of the Hujaj to get a sense of their emotions as they depart.

Emotional as it is fruitful, brother Shabeer Hoosein one of the selected to travel for hajj, said, “I was overwhelmed and excited with not many words to express how I feel. From standing on the plains of Arafat and making dua to Allah SWT. My first thought of dua’s is for the Ummah as the Ummah faces many challenges. May Allah make it easy for everybody In’Sha’Allah.”

President of SAHUC Shaheen Essop says, “We await the arrival of the first Hujaj that comes into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our team is on the ground in Madinah. We will meet Hujaj at the airport. Our clinic is set up for the arrival of these Hujaj and their care during their stay.

We look forward to assisting and hosting our guests and guests of Allah SWT in the holy city of Makkatul Mukarrama. We make dua that Allah SWT grants all the Hujaj safe passage and stay Haji Maqbool Mabroor.”