The Inspiring Journey of Hardjo Mislan, A Testament to Strength and Faith

TIMESINDONESIA, MADINAH – On a poignant evening, precisely at 15:20 Saudi Arabian Time, Thursday, May 16, 2024, a touching story unfolded at the Amir Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport (AMAA) in Madinah.

A wise man from Ponorogo, Hardjo Mislan, arrived with cluster 19 from Surabaya (SUB), holding hope and happiness in every step he took.

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Despite being 110 years old, Hardjo faced the future with a blazing spirit. However, this time, his presence was accompanied by a wheelchair, not as a symbol of weakness, but as a testament to wisdom.

Though still able to walk upright, he chose the wheelchair to preserve his health and ensure that every second of the journey in the Holy Land would be comfortable and joyful.

"At the age of 110, Alhamdulillah, I'm healthy. My legs don't hurt. My stomach doesn't hurt either," he said softly yet joyfully, his face beaming with a smile.

For Hardjo, this moment was not just a physical journey but a spiritual one with profound meaning. Accompanied by three members of his family, he stepped forward with unwavering faith, accompanied by his son Sirmad, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law.

Born in 1913, his birth year did not extinguish his spirit to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Despite having to wait until 2019 to register, Hardjo patiently endured the lengthy process. Five years did not break his spirit.

"I'm happy to have reached Arabia. My wife passed away long ago. My child registered for me, as I wished," he said, looking at the blue sky of Madinah with unspoken gratitude.

Behind his physical frailty lies an extraordinary strength of spirit. Hardjo Mislan's story is a true testament that a strong spirit and determination can overcome all obstacles, even at an age full of experiences. He not only made history for himself but also for all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who see him as an example in presenting their worship in the Holy Land.(*)

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