An Indian man walks 8,640 km to fulfil Hajj dream

An Indian man walks 8,640 km to fulfil Hajj dream

 

An Indian man from Kerala has fulfilled his lifelong dream of walking all the way to Makkah from his hometown in Kerala, which is approximately 8,640 kilometers. Similar : Free Hajj offered to an elderly Pakistani man who went viral on Social Media while he was in Madina

In one year and 17 days, Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi, also called as Shihab Chottur, travelled across five countries (India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait) to get to Makkah. He left his hometown in Kerala on 2nd June, 2022, and reached Makkah on 7th June, 2023.

– “I arrived at the Kuwaiti-Saudi border at 5:17 AM on a Ramadan day. I knelt down and touched the Saudi Arabian sands.

– Alawi initially went to Madinah. Once he reached at the Prophet’s Mosque, he had the impression that my journey was over. After visiting the Rawdah Al-Sharif, I felt confident that I would be able to travel to Makkah and complete the Hajj.

– Alawi said to a local media that, he forgot all the difficulties and tribulations he had faced during the hard year-long walk until he arrived in Makkah. He “prayed for hours” in front of the Kaaba for people who had begged for prayers and had provided him assistance. I prayed for the whole of the Muslim Ummah. Trending : Self-driving buses without human interference to use in Hajj for serving pilgrims 

– Describing his trip, Alawi said, “In India and Pakistan, people rallied around me and supported me. No one knew who I was in Iran or Iraq, but as I entered Kuwait, individuals who had heard about my journey began contacting me, requesting to see me, and showing their support.

– “I received assistance from officials, police, and military in every country I visited, and people who recognized me invited me to stay at their homes.”

– The 31-year-old father of three girls claimed that it took him a whole year to get ready for the challenging trip. Alawi visited diplomatic missions in New Delhi to secure visas so he could travel easily through all the nations he needed to pass through.

– “In every country, I had a valid visa. I was granted an entry visa for Iran, a transit visa for Pakistan, clearance from Kuwaiti authorities, and a multiple-entry visa for Saudi Arabia. The local authorities welcomed me with open arms. I was given all the necessary resources to undertake the Hajj by one of the Hajj service providers who gave me an A-category. This demonstrates the immense love that the Saudi government has for all Hajj travelers. I’m really appreciative, he said. Most Viewed : Collecting cash or donations in Hajj is prohibited

– The traveler was only armed with a hiking stick, a rucksack that included four pieces of clothing, pepper spray to defend him from animals, an extra pair of shoes, utensils, official documents, and some cash for the Hajj.

– “Because it was monsoon season in India, I wore six pairs of branded walking shoes before entering Pakistan. I only used one pair after that till I got to Madinah.

– “I used money from my savings for this trip, but I could hardly use that money as my Muslim brothers from all the countries I have crossed took good care of me all the time,” he claimed.

– Alawi lost 18 kilos while on his solitary walking journey. He claimed to only consume traditional foods, which he regarded as “good for (the) soul and body.”

– No special foods or proteins. I would eat halal food if I could. I felt completely comfortable and mentally relaxed. Alawi faced numerous dangers from nature while travelling while learning about diverse cultures and cuisines.  See Also : How to obtain a Saudi sim card as a visitor

– “There were many frightening situations, mostly because wild animals like tigers, bears, and others were nearby. I discovered some wild animal footprints in Iran, and I captured the scene using the camera on my phone. But it wasn’t until I showed it to several locals that I realized they were tiger footprints. I started to feel afraid after that occurrence, he claimed.

– “In Iran, it was a different experience because I had to walk across the entire country by myself in the snow, and the weather was constantly changing, which was the main challenge,” he continued.

– “I once stayed with shepherds on a goat farm. In Iran and Iraq, people who welcomed me into their houses provided me with food and lodging despite the fact that I am a Muslim traveler.

– Alawi was inspired by his firm trust in and confidence in Allah. “My dream was to travel to Makkah and Madinah, and my aim was to do so on foot. I worked hard to achieve my goal and I constantly kept it in front of me. Join Saudi Expatriates Telegram channel

– Alawi claimed he wished to serve as an example for others. “This journey served as an inspiration for the Hajj for many others. I want to encourage others to make the pilgrimage to Makkah no matter what since it is a holy tradition.

– Alawi frequently posted bits of his trip on social media; he has more than 4.9 million Instagram followers, 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, and a verified Facebook profile. Subscribe to Saudi Expatriates on YouTube