The Other Side of Mecca that Few People Know, Many Backpacker Pilgrims, Have No Place to Sleep in the Streets

Dream - Behind the grandeur of life in the city of Mecca and its surroundings, there is another portrait of life that appears very different.

Recently, a woman who was performing her worship in the Holy Land of Mecca shared a rare sight that is rarely highlighted.

She showed that there are many pilgrims who go to the Masjid al-Haram as backpackers.

In a post on the TikTok account @mamakbakso, the woman said that backpacker pilgrims usually come from developing countries. They travel alone without using hajj tour services.

As a result, when they arrive in the Holy Land, they live with whatever they have and have no place to stay, so they are forced to settle in the mosque courtyard.

In the video, there are several suitcases and pilgrims' belongings hanging on the fence. Some of them are seen praying or supplicating.

“Many people from Pakistan, India, and Africa benefit from carrying their suitcases and belongings on the roadside. They cannot enjoy hotel facilities like us, let alone eat at the Mezzanine Hotel because they cannot afford it,” wrote the caption in the video.

According to her, the backpacker pilgrims who come to the Holy Land only intend to worship. Therefore, they do not really care about comfort.

“They only have the spirit and great desire to worship in the Masjid al-Haram. We should be ashamed before Allah if we can enjoy hotel facilities but only focus on shopping and sightseeing when we arrive in Mecca,” she said.

The sight of the other side of Mecca immediately garnered various comments from netizens. Many compared it to Indonesian hajj pilgrims who receive various decent facilities.

"It turns out that we are actually capable of going there, we just lack determination and courage," wrote @bulanbiru.

"In the hereafter, they will attain the highest level of paradise. Amen," wrote @fatmah_213.

"Same here, yesterday I passed by them sleeping on makeshift mats after prayers. We should be ashamed because of our love for Allah," wrote @keishaAO.

"No matter how difficult their shortcomings are, they still depart with the intention and belief that Allah will suffice for them," wrote @jonara isnanditha.

@mamakbakso The other side of Mecca 🥲 #umroh2023 #mekkah🕋🕋🕋 #mekkahalmukarammah #prindavansemakindidepan ♬ suara asli - andinisyamsur