A HUSBAND today told how he was taking his seriously ill wife on a pilgrimage to Mecca in the hope of a miracle cure.

Sayeeda Mulla, 46, of the Queen's Park area of Blackburn, faces a transplant or dialysis after her kidneys started to fail.

She has travelled to Saudi Arabia with her husband, Salim, general secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, to drink holy Zam Zam water, which Muslims believe has miraculous healing properties.

They will also complete the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, undertaking deep prayer on the way to encourage a miracle.

Mr and Mrs Mulla are joining around 2,000 Muslims from East Lancashire and a further two million people from around the world on the pilgrimage.

All adult Muslims, if they can afford it and are physically able, must make at least one Hajj in their lifetime.

But there are also many people like Mr and Mrs Mulla who have completed the pilgrimage already, but return in the hope of a miracle.

Father-of-five Mr Mulla, 50, also a councillor for the Queen's Park ward of Blackburn, said: "The Zam Zam water has previously cured a lot of people and we our hoping for a miracle ourselves.

"She has been battling for three years, but she is very seriously ill.

"It is a life-threatening illness.

"She is on the waiting list for a transplant and is nearing the stage when she needs dialysis. We wanted to go to Mecca before she reached that stage for a miracle.

"It has been tough and difficult to accept, but illnesses happen and you have to deal with them.

"We are full of hope at the moment that she will recover."

The Mullas arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday and will remain in the country until the end of the month.

Coun Mulla added: "The Hajj is the journey of a lifetime. It means everything to us. You get a good feeling in your heart from the aura. It is wonderful to be here."

The Hajj pilgrimage takes five days and takes in events such as the stoning of pillars which represent the devil, the sacrifice of an animal, and a walk around the Kaaba.