Family estranged 75 years ago during partition reunited in Mecca

In a heartwarming tale of resilience and perseverance, a 105-year-old woman, Hajra Bibi, from Pakistan, was finally reunited with her niece, Hanifan, 60, after a separation that spanned over 74 years.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, the families, torn apart during the Partition in 1947, had faced numerous obstacles in their attempts to meet, but a series of fortunate events led to their emotional reunion at the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last week.

The journey to this long-awaited reunion was marked by seventeen months of anticipation, denied permissions, and failed attempts to meet at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, a visa-free border crossing connecting Pakistan and India. Hanifan, residing in Kapurthala, Punjab, had even applied for a visa from the Pakistani government, but her request was denied.

In a twist of fate, a heartfelt phone call between Hajra Bibi and Hanifan in June of the previous year became a turning point. During the call, Hajra Bibi expressed her desire to see her younger sister, Majeeda, only to discover that Majeeda had passed away.

Enter Nasir Dhillon, a Pakistani YouTuber, and Paul Singh Gill, a Sikh man in the US, who became the catalysts for the reunion. Dhillon, moved by the story, uploaded a video of Hajra Bibi, helping locate Majeeda's family in Punjab, India. The families' dreams were realized when Dhillon and Gill provided assistance, enabling them to travel to Mecca.

Recording the emotional meeting for his YouTube channel, Punjabi Lehar, Dhillon captured the tearful reunion at the Kaaba. Despite being in touch over the phone, Thursday marked the first in-person meeting for Hajra Bibi and Hanifan.

The road to reunion wasn't without challenges, and the families, not financially well-off, received support from Paul Singh Gill, who arranged funds for their journey to Mecca. With Hajra Bibi at the age of 105, time was of the essence, making the reunion even more poignant.