Andre Rosiade Sends Garbage Cart Puller on Umrah Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
For many years, Yarmayati (65), affectionately known as Ema, could only stand by the roadside near the Tabing Hajj Dormitory in Padang. Amidst her routine of pedalling a waste-collecting rickshaw and scavenging to make ends meet, she never forgot to wave to every bus carrying Hajj pilgrims from West Sumatra.
Few knew that behind those simple waves, prayers were always tucked away. Ema prayed for the safety and smooth worship of all the guests of Allah. Meanwhile, in her heart, she harboured a hope she never dared to utter aloud: that one day, Allah would also call her to the Holy Land.
The prayers she offered from the roadside have finally found their way. Ema officially departed for the Holy Land via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang. Ema flew to Medina before continuing her pilgrimage to Mecca to perform Umrah.
The journey, which had long been a mere dream, was realised thanks to an Umrah gift from the Vice Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Gerindra Faction, Andre Rosiade.
Alongside Ema, three students from SMA Negeri 1 Padang who have memorised the 30 juz of the Al-Qur’an, as well as a tahfiz teacher, were also sent as a form of appreciation for their achievements.
A day earlier, the group departed from Padang to Jakarta and stayed at a hotel near Soekarno-Hatta Airport before proceeding with their international flight. The entire pilgrimage was facilitated by the Bin Dawood travel agency.
Andre stated that he was grateful to finally fulfil the promise he made to Ema after the resilient woman’s life story touched the hearts of many.
“Alhamdulillah, today Buk Ema departs for the Holy Land. May she always be granted health, a smooth journey, and may her Umrah worship be accepted by Allah SWT, returning to the Homeland as a mabrur Umrah,” said Andre in a written statement on Thursday (2/7/2026).
Ema’s story previously went viral on social media. A video showing her waving her hand while praying for every bus of pilgrims from West Sumatra touched many hearts, eventually reaching Andre.
Without delay, Andre visited Ema’s humble home in Parupuk Tabing Village. At that time, he not only gifted her an Umrah package but also provided a new pedal rickshaw to replace her worn-out one, along with basic food supplies, business capital, and one year of health insurance (BPJS Kesehatan).
According to Andre, Ema’s sincerity serves as a valuable lesson. Despite her economic limitations and the heavy labour of being a waste rickshaw driver, she still took the time to pray for others to achieve a mabrur Hajj.
“She was never envious of seeing others depart for the Holy Land. What she did instead was pray for them,” said Andre.
“It is sincerity like this that moved our hearts to help realise her dream,” he added.
Previously, on Friday (8/5), Andre went directly to Buk Ema’s simple house in Parupuk Tabing, Koto Tangah, Padang. He delivered the joyful news of the Umrah gift and provided a new rickshaw for Ema, who lives alone.
Ema could not hide her emotion prior to her departure. The woman, who has spent her life collecting waste for residents, admitted she never imagined she would set foot in the Holy Land.
“Alhamdulillah. Thank you very much, Mr. Andre. My dream of going to Mecca has finally been fulfilled through this Umrah,” said Ema.
“May Allah repay all of Mr. Andre’s kindness. May you always be healthy and successful,” she added.