Ahlulbayt News Agency: A 100-year-old man and his 95-year-old wife from Central Aceh are preparing to embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, demonstrating resilience and unwavering faith despite their advanced age.
Muhammad Dahlan and his wife, Dahniar, residents of Tapak Moge Timur in the Kute Panang subdistrict, will be part of the third Hajj group departing from Aceh on May 20, according to a report by Jakarta Globe on Friday.
Despite being centenarians, Dahlan maintains good health and remains physically active, spending his time tending to his coffee farm. Following a recent medical evaluation, he expressed confidence in his condition, stating, “The doctor said there’s nothing wrong. I’m fine.”
His wife, Dahniar, echoed his optimism, affirming that they are both fully prepared—physically and spiritually—for the journey to Mecca.
This pilgrimage will be their third visit to the holy city, as they previously performed Umrah twice. After their second Umrah pilgrimage, the couple registered for Hajj in 2019, not anticipating that they would be selected so soon.
Their inclusion in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage is part of a special allocation of 219 slots designated for elderly pilgrims from Aceh, as confirmed by Azhari, head of the provincial office of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
These priority slots are reserved for senior citizens who have been on the waiting list for at least five years. Without this special arrangement, Dahlan would have had to wait until 2044 for his turn.
To ensure comfort and accessibility, elderly pilgrims are being provided with ground-floor accommodations at the Hajj dormitory and dedicated care throughout their journey.
Azhari emphasized that the couple’s story highlights how age should not be seen as an obstacle to fulfilling one’s spiritual aspirations
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