Hope and prayer can pave the way for realization of a long-cherished dream.

A 98-year-old man from Pakistan had a dream of performing Haj. Thanks to his son's strenuous efforts, Haj Noor could fulfil his wish of the pilgrimage in his lifetime.

Noor said his only son worked diligently for many years to be able to save for the Haj, according to a Saudi Gazette report.

Noor got married when he was only 20 but his son was born when he was nearing 60. "The years and life troubles have pained me but I never lost hope of doing Haj one day," he said.

When his son grew up and understood his dream, he promised to bring him and his mother to Haj irrespective of the cost.

"My son has fulfilled his promise. He worked hard all these years to save money that would enable me to come for Haj," he said.

But Noor lost his wife about five years ago. "If I lived for some more years and Allah gave me money, I would do the Haj for her," he said.

"The only thing that bothers me is that I have come to the Haj without my wife though we shared this dream together for so many years," he said.

Source: Khaleej Times