09/01/2024
__________Hijaz Trip__________
___Sweet Memories___(Farhad Yousafzai)
"The trip to Hijaz holds sweet memories close to my heart. This letter once Named as 'sweet bitter memories,' but I've erased the bitterness. In the sacred land of Hijaz and during the holy journey of Umrah, no matter the hardships faced, a believer remains patient, tolerant, grateful, and perseverant. Through these virtues, even the bitter moments transform into sweetness."
In August 2023, when I came back to my homeland from foreign, I made the intention of performing Umrah. Due to some problems, my intention was delayed and finally, in the last week of November, my travel needs and supplies were completed and on December 1, 2023, we left for Saudi Arabia for Umrah. There were four people in our caravan. I, My Partner, My brother in law and his Partner, there are different names for each relationship in Pashto language, but it is a big problem that we call the sister's husband Okhi and the brother in law can also be called Okhi. He can be called Sala Sahib in Urdu language, so Sala Saeb and his wife were part of this trip with me.
"Our flight with 'Air Blue' departed from Islamabad to Jeddah at 3:20 in the afternoon. We reached Islamabad airport around 11:00. At the airport, clearing customs and immigration offices can be quite challenging, especially with the additional taxes that trouble Pashtuns. However, this time, I sensed that it was due to the blessings of Umrah or some other divine grace that our baggage underwent no further scrutiny after the initial search. When asked about our purpose, confirming it was for Umrah, the staff conveyed their blessings for our journey. Obtaining our boarding cards and passing through immigration happened smoothly and effortlessly."
"The seventh gate (Gate No. 7) was chosen and reserved for our flight PK 271. Upon reaching the waiting area at Gate 7, we performed the closure of ihrams for Umrah, offered two rakats of prayer, and supplicated for the success of our Umrah journey. And so, our Umrah journey began."
Continues......
