103-Year-Old Eritrean Pilgrim Defies Age to Complete Hajj
Hamed, who is from Eritrea, stood among 1.6 million pilgrims on Mount Arafat and performed the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, proving that age is no barrier to faith.
His journey—marked by hardship and devotion—highlights the power of unwavering determination in fulfilling Islam’s sacred pilgrimage.
Born an orphan, Hamed never met his father, who died months before his birth. For a century, he worked as a cattle herder and trader in Eritrea’s Anseba region, dreaming about undertaking Hajj one day.
Despite his advanced age, he refused to let physical limitations deter him.
“After 100 years, I was finally blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj,” Hamed told Al Sharq Al Awsat.
“Yes, I suffer from pain in my legs and eyes… but when I washed my face with Zamzam water, everything disappeared. I swear to God, I no longer feel any pain.”
His experience underscores a central tenet of the pilgrimage: Ikhlas (pure intention) overcomes obstacles.
Hamed’s path to Mecca was decades in the making. Having lived through Eritrea’s colonial and post-independence struggles, he remained steadfast in his faith. His story resonates with pilgrims who, like him, save for years to afford the journey.
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Despite the physical demands of Hajj—long walks, crowded spaces, and intense heat—Hamed completed the rites with resilience. His participation in the symbolic stoning ritual (Rami al-Jamarat) and prayers on Mount Arafat exemplified his spiritual commitment.
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