Newspaper Delivery Person in Jambi Saves for 26 Years, Now Embarks on Hajj with Wife

Jambi, Indonesianpost.com – Fendi Aripin (58), a resident of  Talang Bakung Village, Pall Merah District, Jambi City, finally fulfilled his dream of performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca using the savings he had accumulated over 26 years. Overwhelmed with emotions, he couldn’t contain his joy knowing that he would answer the call of Allah SWT to visit the Holy Land.

Since 1997, Fendi has been setting aside a portion of his hard-earned money as a newspaper delivery person. His intention to embark on the pilgrimage motivated him to keep working tirelessly. Through his savings as a newspaper delivery person, he was able to accomplish the fifth pillar of Islam this year.

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“It has been my intention for decades, to save money bit by bit. Alhamdulillah, I can finally embark on the journey to the holy land,” said Fendi, sharing his story on Thursday (May 25, 2023).

Fendi believes that Allah SWT will facilitate his sustenance to fulfill his desire to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Being just a newspaper delivery person did not discourage him from pursuing his dream of going on Hajj.

For Fendi, by being frugal, he didn’t need to borrow money or burden others, especially for religious purposes. He also proved that with sincere intentions, any journey becomes easier.

Fendi’s long journey to perform Hajj was not in vain, as the money he had accumulated over the years could finally be deposited for Hajj registration.

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With a prayer of “bismillah” (in the name of Allah), he deposited the savings amounting to Rp 66 million. This money was saved from his 33 years of hard work as a newspaper delivery person.

From that deposit, Fendi was called by the Jambi Ministry of Religious Affairs to prepare for his Hajj departure in 2020.

“I deposited the savings I had accumulated since 1997 at Bank BRI for Hajj registration. In 2019, I was called by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for payment and passport issuance because I was scheduled to perform Hajj in 2020. I am happy that I can finally fulfill my dream,” he said.

However, the scheduled Hajj departure in 2020 had to be postponed due to COVID-19. At that time, Fendi felt sad because he didn’t know whether he would be able to perform Hajj or not, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic had no clear end date.

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“So, because of COVID-19, the Hajj departure was postponed, and I was saddened by it. I didn’t know when I could go, and Alhamdulillah, even though I had to wait for another 3 years, my dream can now come true,” said Fendi, holding back his emotions.

Now, Fendi, the newspaper delivery person, is ready to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage with his beloved wife, Fauziah (49).

Fendi is registered as a prospective Hajj pilgrim in Group 19, and he will perform the pilgrimage to the Holy Land together with other prospective pilgrims on June 7, 2023, through the Batam Embarkation.