Mujica Tinjak: Hajj is the crown of my life, if I die tomorrow, it is forgiven

(Patria) - Mujica Tinjak from Bjelimići near Konjic performed the Hajj this year at the age of seventy-five, as he says, without any problems or difficulties.

"You simply get energy and strength from a source you don't even know, it's a gift from Allah," says Hajjija Tinjak, a former prisoner of war who was expelled from Čapljina, where he moved at the age of eighteen, in 1993.

He returned to Konjic with nothing, and today he thanks God for enabling him to perform the fifth Islamic duty with two million other pilgrims and his fellow Bosniaks.

"You know what that system was like, it didn't lead you into faith, but out of it. Unfortunately, I was also part of that team. God forbid to return to that now. When I realized that it was empty, that there was nothing to it, I returned to my roots again. One of my friends came to my father and told him that his Mujica did this and that, he listed many bad things. He replied: 'I'm not happy that you told me this, it hurts me, but my Mujica left the world with roots, he has a foundation, and sooner or later he will return to his roots. And I returned, thank Allah,'" says Mujica, adding that he also performed Umrah for his father.

He emphasizes that Hajj is an emotion that is experienced personally, and that it is impossible to convey it to another.

"This is my crown, the crown of my life. If I die tomorrow, it is forgiven. I am grateful to Allah, the Almighty, for everything He gives," said Hajjija Tinjak.

He was interviewed during his stay in Medina, and performing prayers, especially Friday prayers in the Prophet's Mosque, he considers a gift from Allah to pilgrims.

On this occasion, he also praised the organization of this year's Hajj.

"As pilgrims told me before about how it was on Arafat, this now is as if we were in a four-star hotel, let me not say five. I am so satisfied. I ask Allah, the Almighty, to reward everyone, especially the Reisul-ulema of the Islamic Community, led by our respected Reisul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović, for organizing this for us. I ask Allah to keep him alive and grant him all blessings," said Hajjija Tinjak.

He also thanked his guide Ensar Zalihić and his wife Azra, as well as his roommates who helped him and took care of him so that he lacked nothing. He also thanked the medical team who constantly took care of their health.

"Allah has honored me, He has given me good companions on this journey, especially Nazif-ef. Kurtović, who took care of me as if I were his father," said Tinjak.

In the end, he urged everyone to constantly recite prayers and ask Allah to invite them to be His guests.

"Material things remain, but this goes with us, God willing. I ask Allah to invite all my loved ones, but also all the young people, so that more young people come here and perform Hajj," said Hajjija Tinjak, adding that he looks forward to returning to his homeland and family, because "nothing can replace a family atmosphere."