A Singapore pilgrim preparing for Haj said she used YouTube videos of past pilgrims to understand what to expect spiritually and practically before making the journey. The visa officer, Ms Noraida Ramli, 53, said watching the experiences of others helped her prepare for the pilgrimage and learn from people who had already completed it.
Another pilgrim, Ms Eliya, described the experience in Saudi Arabia as overwhelming in scale and grandeur. She said the country’s religious sites left her speechless and made the trip feel deeply worthwhile, even after the exhaustion of arriving on a red-eye flight from Singapore on the first day. For her, the pilgrimage has been both physically tiring and emotionally fulfilling. She said that for many pilgrims, Haj is a moving experience after years of waiting, and that being there has given her a sense of peace.
Ms Eliya also said she feels especially fortunate to be performing Haj at a relatively young age. Having both parents with her has reduced her anxiety and made the experience easier to manage. Her comments came as many other Singapore Muslims continue to wait for their turn to undertake the pilgrimage. According to MUIS, about 65,000 applicants remain on the waiting list.
The pilgrims also spoke about the strong sense of international unity they felt during the journey. Mr Fawzi said the experience stood out because pilgrims from many different countries were gathering for the same purpose. Ms Eliya said she has already made friends from Iran and the United Kingdom, despite the crowded conditions and the rush and chaos around the holy sites.
As a younger pilgrim, Ms Eliya has been documenting the journey with videos and photographs. However, she said she has chosen not to post them on social media yet. She wants to keep the experience private for now and remain focused on the spiritual aspect of Haj. She said she would be happy to share the photos and videos after the rituals are completed, but for the moment she wants to stay present and fully engaged in the pilgrimage.
The reflections highlight both the personal and communal dimensions of Haj: the emotional weight of long-awaited travel, the practical efforts made in preparation, the physical demands of the journey, and the powerful feeling of unity among Muslims from around the world.
