A MOTHER'S DAY DREAM
Jackie Ardie treats 94-year-old mother to Mideast pilgrimage
BY LELAND ACKER

Jackie Ardi receives a kiss from his mother, Sarah Ardi, during a recent trip to Mecca. Mr. Ardi, a member of the Church of Christ, took his mother on the pilgrimage for Mother's Day.

He lives half a world away from his mother, but Jackie Ardi still tries to be a good son for his mother. This year, Mr. Ardi, East Texas Pizza Hut executive, traveled to the Middle East to take his 94-year old mother on a tour of Islam's holy sites.

"This has been her life dream," he said. "(In the Muslim religion), you must go on this pilgrimage once in your lifetime."

Mr. Ardi said he visits his mother, who lives in Turkey, once a year. He is her only son.

"I took my mother, her two sisters and one brother to Mecca and Medina," Mr. Ardi said. "I would take her wheelchair and we would go to the most holy places."

He said they spent most of their time in Mecca.

"There was lots of prayers, lots of holy places," Mr. Ardi said. "I would make my mother feel as comfortable as possible. I would help my aunts."

Mr. Ardi said his mother has always wanted to go on this trip, but health problems have prevented it until this year.

"She came here to the United States 10 years ago. I promised to take her on this pilgrimage," he said. "Three years ago, she was cleared to go, but then had a stroke two years ago.

"She accomplished her goal." Mr. Ardi said the focus in Mecca is the Kaaba, commonly called the Black House.

"They walk around it seven times saying different verses. People all over the world pray in the direction of the Black House," he said. "My mother couldn't walk, so I would walk for her. No shoes. We would say Koran verses."

Mr. Ardi said he then took his mother to a place called "Saba." He said at Saba, pilgrims would walk between two mountains and drink holy water that comes from the ground.

Mr. Ardi said he also took his mother, aunts and uncle to Medina, where the mosque is located, where Muhammad used to preach.

He said during his trip to the holy places, he was impressed with the peacefulness of the people there.

"There were millions of people who came five times a day," he said. "There was no arguing, fighting or pushing and shoving. The people were extremely polite."

He even told the story of how his aunt lost her cane and a man tracked them down to return it to them.

"If something is not yours, you are not allowed to take it," he said. "If you pick something up, you are responsible to find the owner."

Mr. Ardi said the people mostly prayed for forgiveness. He said the trip has had a big impact on his life and he has returned to East Texas as a new man.

"I feel like I'm a better husband, father and businessman," he said. "I'm a better person than I was two weeks ago."

The trip strengthened the relationship with his mother, too.

"My mother is very happy with me."