World

104-year-old woman thrilled to be performing Hajj

Ibu Mariah last performed Umrah when she was 90-years-old

News Desk August 29, 2017

Ibu Mariah Marghani Muhammad, 104, is one of the oldest people performing Hajj this year. She said she was thrilled to be on her way to the holy city of Mecca. PHOTO: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and Information

A 104-year-old Indonesian woman is grateful to be performing Hajj this year [2017], The Nationale reported.

One of the oldest pilgrims in this year’s holy pilgrimage, Ibu Mariah Marghani Muhammad thanked god for the opportunity right after landing at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. “Alhamdulillah [praise be to God], I am going to Makkah. Alhamdulillah, I am going to Hajj.”

Two million pilgrims converge on Makkah for Hajj

According to officials at the Indonesian Consulate, the old woman was in “good health and will be able to perform her Hajj rituals without any problems.”

Ibu Mariah had last performed Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) when she was 90 years old, said a statement by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Information.

“Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes Ibu Mariah. The Hajj is the spiritual highlight in the life of every Muslim,” said a spokesperson for the ministry. “At the age of 104, it is remarkable for Ibu Mariah to be here. We wish her well.”

Ibu Mariah is one of the 221, 000 pilgrims from Indonesia. According to AFP, Indonesia, world’s most populous Muslim nation, provides the largest number of pilgrims for the hajj.

Doha worried about potential 'harassment' of Qatari pilgrims

Around two million Muslims from across the globe are converging on Makkah in Saudi Arabia for hajj this year - it also sees the return of pilgrims from Shia Iran, regional rival to Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and comes with the Gulf mired in political crisis and Islamic State group militants squeezed in Iraq and Syria.