Shujaa & Sabrina Hajj-Bound

We are Sabrina and Shujaa. I am 58 years old and my husband Shujaa is 70 years old. We are Muslims, and there are five pillars in our faith in which making hajj is the fifth pillar. We are required to make hajj if our health allows, and we are financially able. It is our strongest desire to make hajj this year. Although I have tried to make hajj for the last 13 years, I have been short of money in spite of working very hard to gather the funds. So, every year my husband and I participate in the hajj send-off at the Masjid. I have felt very happy making the donations and praying for the success of my friends who have made hajj, but I also have felt very sad, nearly in tears, because I wasn't able to made hajj.

I had often listened to the stories of good friends who told me that when Allah invites a person to make hajj, He will make a way even when it does not seem possible. I wondered what they meant until last year. I know in my heart that Allah has invited Shujaa and me to make hajj in 2013. Perhaps because of our age, we feel a great sense of urgency to make hajj. In fact, right after last year's hajj send-off, we immediately went out to get our passports. We had just begun a new business, so money was very tight, but we found ways to save a little something each week. We had a hajj fund-raiser breakfast, and we have been selling aprons that say, "My Kitchen is Halal", as well as taking donations to raise funds. Some people who saw we were saving for hajj  made donations. We have put a $1000 deposit with Hajj Pro for our hajj 2013, and we are now about 5 months away from the deadline to pay the total amount of $13,400; so far we have raised $2676, including our deposit. It cost $6700 for my husband and me each, so we still need $10,724 before the deadline.

           Making hajj is a life changing event that all Muslims strive to do at least once in their life. I have been told once Muslims have made a successful hajj, they are truly blessed and it's like beginning life anew. We have fulfilled all of the pillars of our faith and we desire strongly to complete this fifth pillar. But we will need financial help to make this happen for us. We are asking our family, friends, and community to help us to achieve our worthy goal. When you assist a person in making hajj you too are blessed for helping to make it happen. Shujaa and I want to thank each and every person from the bottom of our hearts for your generous support. We truly appreciate any donation you bless us with; may you continue to stay blessed with abundant health, knowledge, and financial prosperity.

P.S.

Shujaa & I will continue to save as much as we can and do some more fundraisers. We will keep you updated on our progress. We know together we will be successful in making our dream to make hajj a reality. Thank you so much!!!!!