For 45 years, Abdul Rahman Kumar, a septuagenarian from Dalgate, Srinagar, has visited the Hajj House, not as a pilgrim but to bid farewell to others, his heart carrying an unfulfilled dream to perform Hajj. Now in his seventies, Kumar’s story of devotion and hope went viral on May 4, 2025, through a Kashmir Life video by journalist Syed Shadab Ali Gillani. Each year, Kumar, dressed in a pheran, prays among crowds at the Hajj House in Bemina, finding peace despite financial barriers that have kept him from Makkah. The 2023 Hajj fee of Rs 3.95 lakh was a hurdle, yet he asked departing pilgrims to pray for him. The viral video sparked widespread empathy, with Kashmiris offering to fund his pilgrimage. A Kupwara resident and others raised funds, embodying Kashmiriyat—communal compassion. Social media posts celebrated Kumar’s dream coming true within hours. Kumar expressed gratitude, saying, “Allah heard me.” His story highlights challenges like high Hajj costs and airfares, noted by Safina Baig of the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee. Now, with community support, Kumar prepares for Makkah, his 45-year wait nearing its end.