Kasan Solin, a Mobile Tofu Seller, Departs for Hajj After Saving for 40 Years

Dream - Performing the Hajj pilgrimage is certainly the dream of every Muslim, both old and young. However, due to the continuously rising costs and long queues, many people only have the opportunity to go to the Holy Land at an older age.

This is what Kasan Solin, a man from Dusun Karangsukup, Desa Kunir Kidul, Kecamatan Kunir, Kabupaten Lumajang, East Java, has experienced. He has had the intention of going on Hajj since he was a teenager.

However, his desire could not be immediately fulfilled. He had to work hard and save for a long time until he could go as a guest of Allah with the 48th Hajj group this year.

Kasan, who went on Hajj with his wife, is very grateful to be able to go to the Holy Land after striving and praying for approximately 40 years.

The man who works as a mobile tofu maker and seller every day admitted that he has always set aside his income since he was a teenager for the cost of Hajj registration.

"Since I was still single, I really wanted to go on Hajj. Little by little, around 1983, I started setting aside every income I received," he said.

He shared that the first time he saved for Hajj, he used a piggy bank that he kept in his wardrobe.

"Fifty rupiahs, 100 rupiahs, I tried to set aside with the intention in my heart to go on Hajj," he explained.

At that time, Kasan was still a tofu worker who helped his uncle's tofu production business. After feeling capable of doing it on his own, Kasan started his own tofu production business.

Not only did he produce tofu, but Kasan also sold his tofu from village to village using his motorcycle. When the money in the piggy bank was full, Kasan broke it and used it to buy a cow.

"From that one cow, I took good care of it until it grew into 4 cows. In 2011, I sold all the cows I had to register for Hajj and scheduled to depart in 2021," he explained.

Now, at the age of 55, he produces tofu from around 30 kg of soybeans every day. During Kasan's Hajj journey, his tofu business continues to operate with the help of his children.

He admitted that he does not have any other employees besides his wife and children, whom he has taught how to produce tofu. Kasan and his wife are very happy that this year, after being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they can complete the fifth pillar of Islam.

"The prayer we will say later is that we hope to live prosperously and healthily, and that all of our children can also go on Hajj," he concluded.

source: East Java Ministry of Religious Affairs