After a quarter of a century filled with fervent prayers and unwavering faith, a 60-year-old Moroccan woman, Hajja Naima Nadeem, has finally seen her long-held dream of performing Hajj come to reality. For over 25 years, Hajja Naima consistently supplicated, hoping that her very first journey by air would be to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia—a prayer that has now been graciously answered.
Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Hajja Naima shared her emotional journey moments before boarding her first-ever flight at King Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, where she was accompanied by her husband. “I used to cry during my prayers, especially in prostration, begging Allah to make Mecca the first place I would fly to. Alhamdulillah, He answered me,” she said with tears of joy in her eyes and a heart full of thankfulness.
Remarkably, this was the first time she had ever stepped foot on an aircraft, and it wasn’t just any trip, it was to fulfil a sacred pillar of her faith. Her journey was made smoother thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s widely praised “Mecca Route” initiative, which has significantly eased the Hajj travel process for pilgrims from selected countries.
Launched initially as a pilot in 2017 and fully implemented by 2018, the “Mecca Route” programme currently covers pilgrims from Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Maldives. It is designed to simplify and fast-track all Hajj-related procedures before pilgrims even leave their home countries. Through this initiative, travellers like Hajja Naima can complete essential formalities such as biometric data capturing, Hajj visa issuance, passport verification, and health checks, all at their point of departure.
Another key feature of the programme is the pre-sorting and tagging of luggage at the airport in the home country, allowing pilgrims to travel with peace of mind. Once they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they are transported directly to their accommodations in the holy cities of Mecca or Medina via specially designated buses. Meanwhile, their luggage is delivered separately to their residence, ensuring a hassle-free arrival.
This initiative, implemented by trained personnel at various international airports, aims to reduce stress, save time, and significantly enhance the overall experience of the Hajj pilgrimage. For pilgrims like Hajja Naima, who have waited decades and sacrificed so much, these reforms bring immense relief and a renewed sense of dignity in fulfilling their religious obligations.
Hajja Naima’s story is a powerful reminder of patience, faith, and divine timing. Her experience underscores not only the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage but also the evolving efforts by the Saudi government to support and uplift the experience of pilgrims worldwide, particularly those from countries like Morocco. As the 2025 Hajj season unfolds, many more dreams are expected to take flight, literally and spiritually, just like hers.
After a quarter of a century filled with fervent prayers and unwavering faith, a 60-year-old Moroccan woman, Hajja Naima Nadeem, has finally seen her long-held dream of performing Hajj come to reality. For over 25 years, Hajja Naima consistently supplicated, hoping that her very first journey by air would be to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a prayer that has now been graciously answered.
Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Hajja Naima shared her emotional journey moments before boarding her first-ever flight at King Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, where she was accompanied by her husband. “I used to cry during my prayers, especially in prostration, begging Allah to make Mecca the first place I would fly to. Alhamdulillah, He answered me,” she said with tears of joy in her eyes and a heart full of thankfulness.
Remarkably, this was the first time she had ever stepped foot on an aircraft, and it wasn’t just any trip—it was to fulfil a sacred pillar of her faith. Her journey was made smoother thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s widely praised “Mecca Route” initiative, which has significantly eased the Hajj travel process for pilgrims from selected countries.
Launched initially as a pilot in 2017 and fully implemented by 2018, the “Mecca Route” programme currently covers pilgrims from Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Maldives. It is designed to simplify and fast-track all Hajj-related procedures before pilgrims even leave their home countries. Through this initiative, travellers like Hajja Naima can complete essential formalities such as biometric data capturing, Hajj visa issuance, passport verification, and health checks, all at their point of departure.
Another key feature of the programme is the pre-sorting and tagging of luggage at the airport in the home country, allowing pilgrims to travel with peace of mind. Once they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they are transported directly to their accommodations in the holy cities of Mecca or Medina via specially designated buses. Meanwhile, their luggage is delivered separately to their residence, ensuring a hassle-free arrival.
This initiative, implemented by trained personnel at various international airports, aims to reduce stress, save time, and significantly enhance the overall experience of the Hajj pilgrimage. For pilgrims like Hajja Naima, who have waited decades and sacrificed so much, these reforms bring immense relief and a renewed sense of dignity in fulfilling their religious obligations.
Hajja Naima’s story is a powerful reminder of patience, faith, and divine timing. Her experience underscores not only the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage but also the evolving efforts by the Saudi government to support and uplift the experience of pilgrims worldwide, particularly those from countries like Morocco. As the 2025 Hajj season unfolds, many more dreams are expected to take flight, literally and spiritually, just like hers.
