After seeing a picture of a gray-haired domullo Jalil from a mountain village, 81-year-old Jill Anderson decided to meet him personally at all costs. And a few months later, her dream came true: Jill sat down next to him, touched his beard and, crying, asked for his blessing.
THE photo
It all started with pictures of an American photographer. In the fall of 2024, David McKay first came to Voru, a picturesque village in the Panjikent district.
"My wife and I conduct photo tours all over the world. This was my second visit to Tajikistan, but my first to this village. Our friend and fellow photographer knows this place, and thanks to him and his relationship with the locals, we knew where to go. The residents trusted him, and this gave us access to places where few people had ever set foot from the outside world," - said David.
According to him, filming in Voru was a special experience, because Americans had never been seen there, and most of the residents had never left their village.
"Physically frail and feeble, but steadfast and wise in spirit," – this is how he described the old man.
One of David's photographs was soon seen by Jill Anderson.
"I immediately felt attracted to this man. His face seemed very wise, there was something extraordinary about it. I told David that if I ever went to Tajikistan, I definitely had to meet this man and receive his blessing," - she said.
And such an opportunity has appeared.
When David told them about his travels in Central Asia, Jill and her husband immediately agreed to go with him.
"As a photographer and tour manager, I always try to help others learn about different places and cultures. Jill is elderly but full of life, and I knew she would enjoy the experience. When she saw the photos of the old man, her face lit up with joy. That's when I realized that meeting him and the village would be special for her," - David shared.
Cherished trip
In August of this year, Jill's dream of visiting Tajikistan finally came true. Together with her husband, who is also a photographer, she went on a large photo tour of Central Asia, which was organized by David.
In five weeks, the group visited Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It was Jill's first trip like this.
"Of course, I've been preparing for this trip in advance. I took with me light clothes for movement, medicines and hiking boots," she says.
Arriving in Tajikistan, Jill couldn't miss the chance to visit the village where the elder in the photo lived.
Hidden in the mountains, the village of Voru immediately captivated her with its beauty and seclusion. Pressed against a hill, it seems almost untouched by time: stone houses, narrow paths, shepherds with animals on the slopes.
"I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, so I love nature. I was fascinated by the beauty of this village," - Jill noted.
The locals greeted the guests with curiosity, but politely and cautiously.
"They're shy, but a smile is a universal language," - Jill added.
And a cherished meeting
According to Jill, it was a great gift for her to be invited to enter the elder's house. Domullo Jalil, 91, politely asked to sit next to him, and with the help of an interpreter, they exchanged greetings.
"He said that his beard and my hair are the same color, however, it is wavy, but mine is not. We laughed. I touched his hand and shook it," - says Jill.
According to her, Domullo's hands reminded her of her father's hands – strong, hardworking, real. Every touch and every moment next to him left a deep impression.
"I needed the blessing of this wise man. Everyone needs blessings, and his prayer touched my heart," - she says.
Domullo's 86-year-old wife warmly welcomed the American. As a souvenir, Jill gave her bracelet, putting it on the old lady's wrist. And they bought several handmade items as a souvenir.
"We will cherish the craftsmanship and always remember the people who made them. I would like to come back here again and keep this touching experience in my memory," - said Jill.
American photographer David McKay, who accompanied Jill, noted that the moment of the meeting was not only important for tourist photography, but also spiritually significant.
"The idea that photography can bring people from all over the world together is amazing. We may not speak the same language, but the language of smiles, handshakes and respect is understandable to everyone. For Jill, I'm sure this meeting was a moment of spiritual wisdom," - he said.
A heart left in the mountains
Didor Sadulloev, a Tajik photographer, was part of the group and accompanied the travelers to Voru. For residents, he was a trusted person, and for foreigners, he was a guide to local life.
It was his footage of 91-year-old domullo Jalil and American Jill exchanging warmth and a smile that became the symbol of this trip.
The pictures posted by Didor on his page quickly spread on social networks and made this story known far beyond the village.
By the way, three years ago Didor's works, where he depicted the village of Voru and elder Domullo Jalil, were presented at an exhibition at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Jill said that she used to work as a kindergarten teacher, and after retiring, she took up her favorite activities. She paints, sews and rolls wool, creating toys and decorative items from it. According to her, the teddy bears she created are the best in the world.
"I've traveled to 50 countries, but my heart remains in this remote village," - Jill confessed.
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