A Northwood hospice has helped a woman visit Saudi Arabia to undergo a pilgrimage to Makkah, a spiritual journey she was desperate to take.
Nahida had planned to visit the country with her brother and daughter, but the symptoms of her cancer made everyday life difficult.
Earlier this year, Nahida started staying at Michael Sobell Hospice, who helped her manage her symptoms so she could take the trip.
Makkah is regarded as the holiest city in Islam. Nahida has visited Makkah twice before, but visiting at this point in the Islamic calendar, one of the three holy months before Ramadan, means that this trip was particularly special.
Speaking before the trip, Nahida said: “As a Muslim, it really means a lot to me to be able to go to Makkah this time. My brother arranged this pilgrimage after he came to the UK to visit me in hospital and I can’t wait to go. I’ve felt supported by the hospice when planning this trip.”
Throughout the trip, Nahida stayed in contact with the hospice, with a WhatsApp chat set up between the hospice’s medical director Dr Ros Taylor MBE and Nahida’s sister Zaynib.
Zaynib said: “They’ve thought of everything. To actually be able to communicate with [the hospice team] while I’m there so brilliant. That takes so much anxiety off of me.”
Nahida completed her pilgrimage, (also known as Umrah) and returned safely to the UK on February 8. She was then welcomed back to Michael Sobell Hospice and receive support from their specialist team.
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