Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Mobility impairment didn’t act as a barrier for 17 pilgrims who performed this year’s Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.

The pilgrims, who are affiliated with the Mobility Disability Association for Adults (Harkiah), performed the Hajj rituals as part of the “Empowering the Mobility Disabled to Perform Hajj" program, one of the initiatives of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

These pilgrims came to the holy sites with eagerness and excitement, overcoming all the challenges posed by their physical disabilities.

During the Hajj season, the association provides modern and special cars for people with disabilities throughout the Hajj pilgrimage and provides housing facilities tailormade for them at the holy sites.

Harkiah thanked all the concerned parties for their interest and care for the pilgrims, and for harnessing all services for the pilgrimage of the people with disabilities.

Overjoyed and delighted to get an opportunity to perform the rituals, Abdullah Al-Rishan, one of the pilgrims, said: “I have no words to express my gratitude to God for enabling me to perform the rituals of Hajj. My dream came true several years after I got paralyzed in 2011 following a traffic accident,” he said while thanking the Saudi government for supporting and paying great attention to people with disabilities.

“I witnessed the crowds of pilgrims while standing on Arafat, and I threw pebbles at the Jamarat with ease and comfort, and I went to the Grand Mosque and performed Tawaf Al-Ifadah. We found all the care and attention from all sectors working during the Hajj, and the provision of all requirements and needs,” he said.

Majed Al-Sarie, another pilgrim, said: “I was paralyzed caused by hemiplegia after a traffic accident 10 years ago, but I always believed that I am the one who controls the disability. So it's not logical for me to make this disability a reason to refrain from performing Hajj.”

“I thank God for enabling me to be at the holy sites with my other people with disabilities. We performed Hajj in our wheelchair without any obstacles.”

He said that the pilgrims received a distinguished service, and all the facilities that they needed, especially for pilgrims with mobility impairment, were available.