Elders from Najran recall their Hajj pilgrimage experience

JEDDAH: Elders in Najran recalled their past challenging pilgrimages to Makkah and Madinah, which were considerably more difficult before the country’s current development projects that have facilitated the journey for devotees from all over the world.

They praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the care and attention given to both the holy sites and the pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Now in his 80s, Mohammed bin Mohammed Al-Qahs reminisced about his very first Hajj, which was over 60 years ago.

He said: “It is hard to describe the exhaustion pilgrims experienced, starting with their search for a means of transportation and supply of food, such as flour, ghee and honey, along with cooking utensils.

“The journey to reach Makkah lasted several days, through Bisha via the Tathlith governorate, as a result of the difficult road conditions through the rugged Sarawat Mountains.”

His fathers and grandfathers told him of the hardships they encountered during their pilgrimage, as they rode animals and passed through Aqaba Shaar in Asir and Mahayel to reach Makkah, a trip that lasted more than a month. The journey to reach Madinah took two months.

Hajj in the past was completely different without the current leadership, which has harnessed all its power to better serve pilgrims, expanded sites in Makkah, improved services at all the holy sites, and facilitated movement between them, Al-Qahs said.

Ali Balharith, 70, agreed that the current pilgrimage was a far cry from that of the past. He praised the quality of services provided, including transportation and healthcare, and applauded the organization of pilgrims’ movement within and between the holy sites.