Hajarat Ahmed Aboki, one of the 20 beneficiaries MTN sponsored hajj to Makkah in this interview, narrates how God, through the leading telecommunication gave her a rare opportunity in fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam.

HOW did you feel emerging a beneficiary of the 20 customers sponsored by MTN to Mecca for this year’s Hajj?

Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory), it is the handiwork of God, through MTN. Well, I, was like other 19 customers that were selected based on the MTN Value Added Service (VAS) we subscribed to. It was a computer-based random selection.

Though we subscribed to different VAS contents. Some of us subscribed to daily devotionals, Islamic quotes, sermons, Islamic songs, Islamic caller-tunez and other spiritually uplifting and faith enriching contents.

How has it built your Islamic faith and moved you closer to Allah (God)?

Insha’Allah (by God’s grace), it has helped me a lot. First, it has kept me and is still keeping me connected to Allah every day.

It has added spiritual value in the aspect of receiving inspirational Islamic messages and quotes from the holy Quran through SMS. Sometimes you find yourself in challenging situations and all you need are words of encouragement or quotes, from the Holy Quran about Allah’s promises towards us, so as to boost our faith.

Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory), I am a living testimony to such great moments, as these SMS have encouraged me to be strong and stay positive to overcome different hurdles.

How did you feel when you were told that you were among the lucky subscribers to be sponsored to Makkah for this year’s Hajj?

Sincerely, I felt I was day-dreaming. I told myself this cannot be true. At first, when I received the call, I felt it was one of those fraudsters that wanted to play a fast one on me, all in the name of Hajj. I dropped the call. Then I didn’t look at the number. Later the number 180 (MTN Customer Care Service number) called me again and I was told that an MTN staff would call me. In few minutes, I received the call.

He broke the good news again to me. He asked me of my location and I told him. He directed me to one of the MTN offices closer to me in Suleja (Niger state). Though I was still having a little doubt in mind because, I cannot still believe it was true. I summoned courage and went. When I got there, I was congratulated again. There, I felt convinced that it was true even though I felt I was day dreaming.

When did you feel you weren’t day dreaming?

(Smiles) It was when my visa was handed over to me. I told myself, Hajarat, you are on your way to the Holy land.

How many times have you travelled to Makkah?

I have never travelled to Makkah before. This is my first time of even travelling out of the country. This is a once in a life time opportunity given to me by MTN. Sincerely, words cannot express how I feel. This is a rare opportunity given to me for just subscribing to an Islamic content on the MTN Value Added Services.

Value added service

I am saying a very big thank you to MTN because it is not easy for a company to sponsor its Muslim subscribers continuously in the past six years.

How did you feel fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam?

Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory) I feel complete. I feel great. It is not easy for a thirty year old post graduate student who cannot afford an air ticket to sponsor herself to Makkah to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam. You know it is not easy fulfilling this Islamic obligation especially when you are not financially buoyant. Travelling to Makkah was like getting a new experience, in fact a better angle to a new experience of life. I felt uplifted spiritually and fulfilled beyond the level I was. It was a very big opportunity given to me by God through MTN to travel not just out of the country, but having the privilege of visiting places I only read in the Holy Quran and performing the Hajj rites. Words cannot explain exactly how I feel.

How was the experience like?

It was a fulfilling one. A rare experience I never thought I could have this year or some years to come. A once in a life time opportunity given to me by MTN as I was able to meet people from different background. Apart from seeing places I only read in the Holy Quran, the journey to the Holy land gave me a better understanding about the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

How?

Reading the Holy Quran sometimes may appear distant as one is not familiar with particular scenarios in it. But now, I have direct knowledge of these places and this has created better understanding, makes me more familiar, enhanced my understanding about the Holy Quran and this has really enhanced my faith and made me a better Muslim. This I would surely share with my family and friends. It is an unbeatable spiritual experience.

What impact has this experience made in your life?

Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory), it has had a great impact in my life. It has made me a changed person; feeling like new born child, because I felt my sins have been forgiven and washed away Insha’Allah (by God’s grace).

Where your expectations really met?

Sincerely, it was exceedingly met. I want to thank MTN for this great and wonderful opportunity. It is no easy for a company to sponsor 20 Muslim customers to Makkah, for this year’s Hajj, in an all-expenses paid trip and giving them an opportunity to fulfil a life-long desire. We were also given allowance that we spent over there; we never spent a dime from our pocket. This is an awesome experience; a rare privilege and I deeply appreciate it.