As convoys of pilgrims flock from around the world to perform Umrah in Madinah, the journey for some can be more difficult than others.
Palestinian pilgrim, Khalil Hanoun, said that his people’s suffering from the aggressive Israeli occupation didn’t make them think twice about coming to the holy sites to perform Umrah.
“Traveling is a real hardship and many people don’t get that privilege because of the travel ban by the Israeli occupation,” he told Arab News. Hanoun lives in the West Bank city of Nablus and has come to Makkah by land.
“The trip took me 24 hours to reach Madinah and then we will head to Makkah for Umrah after paying our salutations to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the Prophet’s Mosque,” Hanoun said. Despite Israeli pressure on Palestinians’ lives, Hanoun confirmed that people are still challenging the difficulties and are staying steadfast in face of the Israeli aggression.
It’s Hanoun’s first visit to the Kingdom and he shared with Arab News his feelings of happiness and contentment.
“I visited Islamic and historical sites and famous mosques like Quba Mosque, the seven mosques, the two Qiblas, the Uhud battle site as well as other Islamic sites in Madinah,” he said.
Hanoun’s friend, Abdul Salam Tasluq, expressed his happiness to achieve a lifetime dream by visiting Madinah and praying in the Prophet’s Mosque.
The pilgrims said the journey didn’t cost them more than SR2,000. They extended their gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia for the exceptional reception.

SOURCE:   http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/735051