Mecca: Since childhood, the Day of Arafah represented a special spiritual occasion for pilgrim Othman Hassan Bakr. He would fast on the day and follow Hajj rituals on television with his family in Niger, watching pilgrims raise their hands in prayer at Mount Arafat and hoping that one day he would be among them.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the sounds of Talbiyah, scenes of pilgrims moved to tears in devotion, and prayers rising to the sky were moments Othman relived year after year. He experienced those scenes emotionally as though he were present among the pilgrims and regarded the occasion as a unique spiritual experience that he and his family eagerly followed.

Today, Othman is living that profound spiritual experience after being granted the opportunity to perform Hajj as part of the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.

His long-awaited dream became reality as he prepared to stand in Arafat reciting the Talbiyah while recalling childhood memories and the moments he spent watching those spiritual scenes.

He said: 'Being selected for Hajj was one of the greatest moments of my life. I immediately began imagining the feeling of standing in Arafat among the pilgrims.'

'What I care most about now, while I am in these holy places and blessed moments, is prayer. I ask Allah to protect the Kingdom, bless the efforts of those serving pilgrims, and grant acceptance and Paradise to pilgrims,' he said.