I’m 19 years old and I joined the other men here to do a 40-day pilgrimage. I’m the youngest in our group of pilgrims. For the first time I cannot do my usual habits. I cannot go out on my own. I have to follow orders here and there. I cannot talk to women. I cannot stay outside without my elders. I cannot play basketball and volleyball. I cannot even go to karaoke! It’s hard that you cannot do what you want to do. I’m a teenager and 40 days is a very long journey. But I decided I’m going to do it anyway. At some point in my life I started to get tired of doing the same things all over again. I wanted to try something new. I wanted to follow what Allah said, “spread my name.” This became my motivation everyday to finish the journey. I did not plan this for a long time. When I heard that a group from home is doing the pilgrimage, I asked them if I could join. They are veterans and it is good learning something new from them.
