This is the Kediri-born Haji-Up-to-the-Hill-Rice-Cooker, a Century-Old Man, Not a Barrier

JAKARTA - A dim smile spread across the wrinkled face of Marsiyah Salim. At the age of 105, the grandmother from Kediri Regency, East Java, has written an inspiring story as the oldest prospective haji from Indonesia in the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj season.

Joined in the flight group (cluster) SUB 112 via the Surabaya Embarkation, Mbah Marsiyah has safely set foot in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Friday (23/5) morning.

His presence in the holy land is not merely a statistical record of departure, but a real proof that old age and limitations are not an obstacle to God's will.

For Mbah Marsiyah, air travel across the continent to the holy land was the first experience in her life. The grandmother who admitted that she had never traveled far felt very comfortable and enjoyed the long flight.

"It feels like ayem (peaceful), leaving until you come home healthy. How does it feel to ride a plane? Yes, it's nice, people never go out. Every morning I drink milk, the wind on the plane is also cold," he said innocently, to Antara.

Behind his fitness and calmness, there is a long and touching story of struggle. The cost of his departure to the holy land started from a can that he kept tightly in a wooden cabinet.

For years, he collected the banknotes with a nominal value of Rp2,000 to Rp5,000 into the can.

The money is the sweat of his perseverance selling porridge in front of his house, right under the shade of the sawo tree. Mbah Marsiyah never went to sell to the market. He faithfully waited for buyers on the porch of his simple house.

"I sell porridge, save a little bit, put it in a can. When it's accumulated, I count it. Later if there is a shortage, my son will add it," he said.

Thanks to his perseverance and never-ending prayers, he managed to register for the hajj in 2021. Considering his old age, he also received an elderly departure acceleration program from the government.

Even though he is over a century old, Mbah Marsiyah's physical condition is surprisingly fit. Every day, he lives a quiet life in the village.

At his age now, he doesn't have many activities. His days are spent resting at home and never going around visiting neighbors. To maintain fitness, he regularly takes small walks around the house.

"It's still strong to walk. I fell down in the bathroom, then my son bought a cane. Now it's okay," he said referring to the loyal cane that now accompanies him.

Now, Mbah Marsiyah is closely watched by her family. She is guarded by her daughter who happens to live right next to her house.

The warmth of the family and the peaceful routine in the village apparently became the key to the grandmother's fitness until she was able to travel thousands of kilometers to Saudi Arabia.

From under a sawo tree and an old can in the corner of a cabinet, Mbah Marsiyah's prayers soared until they finally led her to prostrate herself at the Ka'bah. His story is a reminder to anyone, that sincere intentions will always find their way.