Banda Aceh. At nearly 100 years old, Abu Bakar Mureh’s physical condition remains physically fit. A native of Tuha Village, Tringgadeng District, Pidie Jaya Regency, in Aceh, he stands out as the oldest hajj pilgrim from Aceh for the 2024 hajj season.

Abu Bakar Mureh is part of the sixth group from Pidie Jaya, Pidie, Banda Aceh, and Aceh Besar. Alongside his wife, Aminah Cut Ahmad, who is 84 years old, Abu Bakar is embarking on this sacred journey at the age of 96.

“May we remain healthy during our time in the Holy Land,” Abu Bakar expressed during an interview on Monday at the Aceh Hajj Dormitory in Banda Aceh.

The couple registered for the hajj in 2018 and received priority due to their elderly status, allowing them to depart in 2024. In general, the waiting time for the hajj queue can extend up to 30 years, and the fastest regular wait can take up to 15 years.

The cost of their pilgrimage was painstakingly saved over nearly 15 years from their farming income. They were both surprised and relieved to be called to Mecca this year.

“We registered for the hajj in December 2018. We were shocked and relieved when we learned we could go to the Holy Land this year. We are very happy,” said Abu Bakar.

Abu Bakar and Aminah are blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters, and 16 grandchildren. While in Mecca, Abu Bakar plans to pray for the well-being of his grandchildren.

“In the Holy Land, I want to pray for my parents, children, grandchildren, and family,” said the man born in 1928.

Despite his advanced age, Abu Bakar remains enthusiastic about completing the administrative processes before flying to Mecca on Monday night.

“Even though I am old, I am very excited to perform the hajj pilgrimage,” Abu Bakar remarked.

To maintain his health in his twilight years, Abu Bakar shares that he regularly consumes a drink made from boiled herbs picked from around his home in Pidie Jaya.

Aminah Cut Ahmad expressed her gratitude for being able to perform the hajj this year with her husband. In addition to fulfilling the hajj rituals, Aminah also hopes to visit the Prophet’s tomb.

“Alhamdulillah, we can go this year. While there, I want to visit the Prophet’s tomb,” she said.

Abu Bakar's group is scheduled to take off from SIM Blang Bintang Airport, Aceh Besar, on Monday. This group consists of 393 pilgrims, with 157 men and 236 women.

Currently, the number of Acehnese pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia totals 1,963, spread across five groups.

Azhari, the Head of the Aceh Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH), advised all pilgrims to maintain their health while in the Holy Land. Considering the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, Azhari urged pilgrims to rest regularly, eat sufficiently, and stay hydrated even if only in small amounts.

Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, will send 554 batches of Hajj pilgrims this year. Indonesia has been allocated a total of 241,000 Hajj slots, with 213,320 designated for "regular Hajj" pilgrims, a program managed directly by the government. The remaining 27,680 slots are reserved for "special Hajj pilgrims," who will make their pilgrimage to Mecca using private travel agency services.