Uruguayan embraces Islam, 20 years later this happened

70-year-old Luis Abi Rachid had embraced Islam 20 years ago and performing Hajj was his dream

Mina: 70-year-old Luis Abi Rachid had embraced Islam 20 years ago and performing Hajj was his dream. He, however, was unable to fulfil his dream on his own.

His dream finally came true when he was selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation this year.

"A Dream for New Muslims"

After being selected for the program supervised and implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Luis Abi Rachid described the journey as one filled with peace and spiritual fulfillment, marking the realization of his lifelong wish to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.

“I arrived in the Holy Land with indescribable feelings,” he said. “I was on my way to perform Umrah and see the Holy Kaaba for the first time in my life, after only seeing it on television. My heart overflowed with longing for this sacred place.”

“Hajj is a dream, especially for new Muslims,” he said.

“When I was selected for the program, I felt a joy beyond words. All praise is due to Allah Almighty, and then to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for turning my dream - and the dreams of many Muslims around the world, into reality", he said.

He recounted that his journey to Islam began 20 years ago, when a Muslim friend introduced him to the faith over the course of three months. During that time, he learned about Holy Quran and the practice of prayer, eventually becoming convinced that Islam is the true religion.

"A religion of balance, moderation, and tranquility"

Since embracing Islam, Luis Abi Rachid has deepened his faith and understanding, and long dreamed of performing Hajj and visiting the Holy Kaaba.

"I declared my Islam without ever expecting that I would embrace the faith, as I had never considered it,” he said.

"But Allah, The Almighty, guided me and brought me from darkness into spiritual clarity. I felt a peace and inner security I had never known.

"Islam is a religion of balance, moderation, and tranquility — free from excess, extremism, or rigidity. All praise be to Allah Almighty for guiding me and making me one of the Muslims", he said.

A total of 2,443 pilgrims from over 100 countries are performing this year under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance of Saudi Arabia.

The program patronised by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly, and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.

[Aneequa Sabahat Faizee is Staff Writer at ummid.com. With inputs from Saudi Press Agency - SPA.]

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