Libyan Pilgrim Denied Boarding—But Two Emergency Landings Cleared His Path to Hajj

In a series of events that left many stunned and believers in awe, a Libyan pilgrim named Amer Al Mahdi Mansour Al Gaddafi found himself at the center of what thousands are calling a divine intervention. 

His name, flagged due to its association with the late Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, initially prevented him from boarding a Hajj flight. But after two emergency landings and a pilot’s oath, Amer eventually took his place among the millions of pilgrims in Mecca.

Amer’s journey began like any other—full of hope and spiritual anticipation. But at the airport, he was stopped at immigration because of “security reasons” linked to his surname, a legacy of Libya’s turbulent past. The rest of his group boarded the Afriqiyah Airways flight to Jeddah. Despite Amer’s repeated pleas, the flight captain decided to proceed without him.

“I will not move from here unless it’s toward Hajj,” Amer told the airport authorities.

What happened next stunned even seasoned travelers. Shortly after takeoff, the flight developed a technical malfunction and had to return to the airport. Once the necessary repairs were completed, the flight took off again—only to experience a second malfunction and make yet another emergency landing.

After the second forced return, the flight captain made a public declaration, “I swear I won’t fly again unless Amer is with us on this plane.”

With that statement, what had started as a bureaucratic delay quickly transformed into a story of spiritual significance. Authorities moved swiftly to clear Amer for travel. On the third attempt, with Amer on board, the flight finally reached its destination in Saudi Arabia without further incident.

“I only wanted to go to Hajj,” Amer told local media. “And I believed that if it was written for me, no force could prevent it.”

His story has since gone viral across social media, resonating deeply with Muslims around the world. Many see it as a living example of a powerful Islamic truth: what Allah has destined cannot be withheld by any worldly power, and what is withheld cannot be granted by man.

Amer’s experience serves as a stark reminder of how faith and determination, paired with divine will, can overturn even the most rigid human systems. In a world often dominated by red tape and skepticism, his journey to Mecca broke through with a sense of purpose that many believe could only have come from above.

The incident also highlights the deeply held belief within the Muslim community that Hajj is more than a ritual obligation—it is an invitation from Allah. Regardless of wealth, health, or plans, no one performs Hajj unless Allah permits it.

Amer Al Mahdi Mansour Al Gaddafi’s story has become more than a headline—it is a sermon without words, echoing the power of intention and trust in Allah’s plan. In his own words:

“If it was written for me, no force could stop it.”

For millions of Muslims, especially those waiting their turn for the sacred pilgrimage, Amer's story will remain a powerful reflection of unwavering faith rewarded by divine timing.