ISLAMABAD: The Saudi diplomatic mission in Pakistan has decided to send a young boy and his parents to perform Umrah toward the end of the month after he gave his money to a flood relief fund which he was saving to travel to the kingdom to perform the religious ritual, said a spokesperson of the embassy on Wednesday.
Ahmad Mustafa, a four-year-old resident of Peshawar, was caught on camera while donating everything his money box to help the flood-affected people across the country. Asked about his motivation to save the amount by another person in the video, he said he wanted to perform Umrah with his parents.
“Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki met the boy and his family this week at the embassy in Islamabad to appreciate the noble deed of the child,” Fawaz Abdullah Alotaemen, media director at the embassy told Arab News.
“The ambassador informed them [the boy’s family] that the boy and his parents would be sent on Umrah as the guests of the Saudi embassy and all expenses would be taken care of by the mission,” he continued, adding the Pakistani family would be sent to the kingdom by the end of the month after the Saudi national day celebrations.
Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki holds a Pakistani boy, Ahmad Mustafa, who donated all his savings to a flood relief fund after inviting him to the embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 5, 2022. (Courtesy: Saudi embassy Islamabad)
“When the ambassador came to know about how the boy had used his savings, he expressed his desire to host them at the embassy to appreciate the kind gesture and send his family to perform Umrah,” he said.
Speaking to Arab News, Mustafa said he was delighted to get the chance to visit the holy city of Makkah after helping the flood victims.
“I wanted to buy some toys and also visit Allah’s home,” he said. “Now, my money will give food to other children who lost their homes in floods.”
Hakeem Zadah, the boy’s father, said it was a moment of extreme happiness for his family when the Saudi embassy announced it would make arrangements for them to perform Umrah.
“We all offered prayers of gratitude to Allah,” he told Arab News. “I was speechless and unable to express my feelings.”
He continued the Saudi ambassador and other officials treated them like special guests and gave them tremendous respect.
“I am very grateful to the Saudi government and the kingdom’s embassy and the envoy in Islamabad for their kindness,” he added.
Mustafa’s father said the Saudi ambassador gave his sons some gifts, including a cash prize which he also donated to flood-affected people.
“I feel blessed and lucky that my children are beginning to understand the true spirit of Islam and trying to serve the humanity right from the childhood,” he added.
