MADINAH – Pilgrims visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah reacted differently while leaving for Makkah to start their Haj journey. Some pilgrims, Al-Madina reported, considered themselves to be fortunate to be near the Prophet (peace be upon him). Anwar, a teary-eyed Turkish pilgrim, said: “This is the first time I have come to the Kingdom to perform Haj and visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.” She expressed joy at being in Madinah and the kind treatment and services she received from the mosque employees, but she was sad to be leaving the city so soon and hoped that she would be lucky to visit again in the near future. A Pakistani pilgrim, Mohammed Shah, who was here with his family, said the city brings peace and serenity. In the past, Shah lived in Madinah, and after ten years working in the Kingdom he returned home to Pakistan. He said that this was his family's first visit to the Prophet's Mosque and to complete their Haj rituals. “My family took so many photos in and outside the mosque so that they could share them with our extended family in Pakistan,” Shah said. Visiting from Egypt, Soad Ibrahim said: “I was deeply grieved when the crane tragedy in the Grand Mosque took the lives of many people. I envied them for dying at the holiest place on earth.” She also said that the Kingdom, especially Makkah and Madinah, enjoy an environment of safety and security under the guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. “It is time for us now to head to Makkah, but we are saddened by our departure, Ibrahim said. “It feels like I am leaving my home and family in Madinah. We appreciate the amazing services everyone is offering to the visitors and pilgrims.” “No other country can serve millions of Muslims the way the Kingdom does,” Ibrahim added.
