Malaysian Pilgrim Carries Her Sister's Memory to Makkah

At the Makkah Route Initiative hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 61-year-old Malaysian pilgrim Salina recalled a story of a long wait — one during which she and her sister had applied together, sharing the same longing and hope of one day standing in the precincts of Makkah. When acceptance finally arrived, however, her sister had passed away, leaving the joy incomplete.

 Undeterred by her loss, Salina chose to continue, with her niece taking her mother's place on the journey.

 "The wait was long, and losing my sister was the hardest moment of my life. But in my niece's company, I found some consolation, a feeling that she lives on in every step of this journey," Salina said.