Between the agony of longing and the tightness of hand…the Hajj trip is an “unattainable dream” for the Lebanese | policy

This year, the Hajj journey requires a different kind of jihad. A struggle to cover costs has become beyond the means of many after the numbers changed shockingly. After the cost of Hajj in previous years was approximately $1,500, it jumped this year to exceed the threshold of $5,000. This crazy rise came as a result of the continuous collapse of the local currency, the wave of global and local high prices, as well as the repercussions of the ongoing war in Lebanon and the region, which imposed additional burdens on travel and services.

According to Mustafa Adnan, the owner of one of the Hajj campaigns, the huge difference in Hajj costs is due to the general high cost and the different levels of programs provided, stressing that “each program has its own price and services,” but at the same time he acknowledges that the cost this year has become a real burden compared to the past.

This complex financial reality has been directly reflected in the numbers of people heading to the Holy Land, as Mukhtar Muhammad Al-Baasiri points out the decline in the number of pilgrims compared to last year, and attributes this decline to “the stifling economic situation and security fears resulting from the war,” which are conditions that forced many families to rearrange their living priorities and postpone the dream of Hajj.

In the same context, citizen Muhammad Badie summed up the mouthpiece of a large segment of the Lebanese by saying that the current prices have made performing the rituals out of reach at the present time, adding with sorrow, “But it remains the obligation that every believer desires and strives for, no matter how long it takes.”

“If the costs of tourism and entertainment have risen insanely, why do we spend so much on Hajj?” With this spontaneous and faith-filled question, Hajja Maria Al-Jafil expresses feelings that go beyond the language of material calculations. Maria confirms that she chose not to think about numbers, but rather about the honorable moment of arrival that she had waited for for many years, considering that this spiritual journey cannot be measured in money.

This opinion is shared by Rima Al-Rashidi, who carries in her heart a simple wish that sums up the scene of Lebanese longing. She hopes to soon be among the “guests of God,” stressing that the experience – despite its high cost and the difficulty of securing it – remains an invaluable spiritual investment, and truly deserves the title of “the trip of a lifetime.”