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In a poignant scene at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, 72-year-old Sarah Watra sat clutching her son's hand, staring at a boarding pass destined for Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Her lifelong dream, cherished for over seven decades, was finally becoming a reality.
For Sarah, who had faced several challenges, the hope of performing Hajj had been a constant prayer since childhood. She yearned to stand on Mount Arafat and shed tears of devotion before the Holy Kaaba, a dream repeatedly deferred by life's obstacles.
This momentous day at the airport was more than just a travel experience; it was the culmination of a lifetime of perseverance, a triumph over the years and the impediments that had once seemed insurmountable.
Sarah's journey to Hajj began when her son decided to offer her what he considered "the greatest reward that could be given to a mother who has endured." He registered under the Makkah Route Initiative, a program launched by Saudi Arabia to simplify Hajj procedures in several countries, including Côte d'Ivoire. This meant all necessary steps—from electronic visa issuance and passport procedures to medical examinations and baggage coding—were completed before Sarah even departed her home country.
At the airport, Sarah was surrounded by the initiative's smiling and courteous team, who seamlessly handled her travel procedures. She could scarcely believe the ease with which all the doors opened for her, without the burden of long queues or navigating multiple offices and agencies.
The Makkah Route Initiative has not only facilitated travel to Madinah and Makkah but has also ignited hope in the hearts of thousands of elderly and underprivileged pilgrims, transforming what was once an arduous journey into an experience befitting the pilgrims.
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