How Indian pilgrim walked 8,600 km to reach Makkah for Hajj
How Indian pilgrim walked 8,600 km to reach Makkah for Hajj/node/2323701/saudi-arabia
How Indian pilgrim walked 8,600 km to reach Makkah for Hajj
In this photo taken in early June 2023, Indian pilgrim Shihab Chottur, right, is welcomed in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, after walking for over one year from Kerala to perform the Hajj. (Shihab Chottur)
NEW DELHI: Many Muslims try to go the extra mile in fulfilling the sacred obligation of pilgrimage — an effort Shihab Chottur took to another level as he walked over 8,600 km from southern India to reach Makkah for Hajj.
Chottur departed from his home in Malappuram in Kerala on June 2, 2022, and on his year-long journey crossed Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait before reaching his destination.
He arrived in Saudi Arabia in late May and after spending three weeks in Madinah entered Makkah on June 7.
“I achieved my dream. This was my dream, childhood dream. I reached here, Makkah. Very proud moment that I achieved my dream,” he told Arab News.
“Everything is possible. We can do anything.”
Now 31 years old, Chottur first imagined the journey when he was eight. He remembered a dream in which he saw the Kaaba shrine, the towering black cube at the center of the Great Mosque of Makkah, which the most sacred place for Islam and considered the House of God.
“I started thinking, why can’t I reach the Kaaba walking?” Chottur said. “At that time, I was not aware of the route and how many countries I would cross.”
The journey was not easy. While in Pakistan he was warmly welcomed in the villages and towns he crossed and often accompanied for some time by locals, when he entered Iran, the journey was mostly lonely.
“Different experiences in Iran and Iraq ... Climate is very different. It was minus 14 degrees. That time I was alone with my 12 kg of luggage,” he said.
A father of two and owner of a shop in Malappuram, Chottur enjoyed the support of his family, especially mother, as told them about the plan to reach Makkah by foot.
Later, he was also assisted by Saudi authorities and exempted from all fees.
“I carried $8,500 when I started, and I did not use that money because the Saudi government and the Indian consulate supported my free Hajj,” he said. “That money that I carried, my mother will use to for performing the Hajj.”
Now waiting for the pilgrimage to begin next week, Chottur has found a new resolve, which is to encourage other young Muslims to embark on the spiritual journey when they are still physically fit.
“Everyone thinks of going on Hajj after completing 70 years, at old age. I would like to change that thinking. I would like to do that in my youth,” he said. “In our healthy time we can do the Hajj.”
After he completes the rites of pilgrimage, his journey will be nearly complete.
He still hopes he will be able to go to Palestine and see Al-Aqsa Mosque — the third most sacred place after the Great Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
“There are three holy sites,” he said. “I would like to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and then fly back to India.”
Makkah exhibition welcomes pilgrims among its visitors
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: The third Wahat Exhibition, which is being organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in Makkah, is continuing to welcome visitors — including Hajj pilgrims, citizens, and residents — from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The exhibition runs until June 15, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It features a section devoted to the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, as well as rare manuscripts from the Makkah Library.
The exhibition also includes historic photographs of Makkah along with a documentary film which showcases past Hajj experiences and the development of services for pilgrims.
Visitors have praised the high-quality content, commending the ministry’s efforts in raising awareness, advancing technology, and improving communication and services for pilgrims.
They have said the exhibition reflects the Kingdom’s comprehensive efforts to serve pilgrims, promote religious awareness, and uphold the values of moderation and tolerance.
The Hadiyah Charity Association organized an exhibition in Mina during Hajj to showcase the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims to reflect the rich cultural and geographical diversity of the Islamic world.
As a vibrant representation of global Islamic cultures, the exhibition underscored the Kingdom’s message of unity and hospitality toward pilgrims from all nations, the SPA reported.
Through immersive displays, it highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering harmony among civilizations and promoting mutual respect and appreciation.
Thousands of pilgrims continue spiritual journey to Madinah
Authorities prepare to welcome worshippers with comprehensive security, service plans
Updated 25 sec ago
Arab News
MADINAH: As pilgrims bid farewell to Makkah on Monday after completing Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam — many departed for Madinah with cherished memories.
Hajj authorities in Madinah have begun implementing their operational plans for the second season, expecting thousands of pilgrims in the coming days.
The Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security have completed preparations to receive the pilgrims, as part of a comprehensive plan to ensure their safe and smooth arrival, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The field plan focuses on regulating pilgrim movement, facilitating entry and exit from Madinah, maintaining traffic flow, and reducing congestion.
Preparations include increased security presence on major routes, providing assistance and guidance, and ensuring emergency teams are ready to respond to health cases and other situations.
Government and volunteer bodies have raised readiness levels to support reception centers, entry points, and historical sites, while enhancing efforts in transport, guidance, hospitality, and healthcare through an integrated, 24/7 system.
These efforts reflect the leadership’s commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring their safety during their journey between the holy sites and Madinah, the SPA reported.
Meanwhile, 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, also traveled to Madinah after completing Hajj.
During their stay, they will pray at the Prophet’s Mosque, visit Quba Mosque, and explore significant historical landmarks.
The pilgrims expressed gratitude for the services provided by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, which met their needs and facilitated smooth movement between sites.
They shared their joy at completing the Hajj rituals, including standing at Mount Arafat, staying in Muzdalifah, the days of Tashreeq in Mina, stoning the Jamarat, and concluding with the farewell Tawaf.
A coordinated program is in place to transfer pilgrims from their accommodations to Madinah airport, overseen by the Hajj and Visit Committee and relevant authorities to ensure timely flight departures.
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport recorded a successful pre-Hajj phase, receiving pilgrims smoothly and efficiently. During the arrival period, the airport handled 719,400 pilgrims — 49 percent of all air-arriving pilgrims this Hajj season — via 1,910 flights from 196 cities in 53 countries.
The General Directorate of Passports confirmed its readiness to finalize departure procedures at the Kingdom’s international air, land, and sea ports, supported by modern security systems and trained personnel.
Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser also inspected King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to assess its readiness for pilgrim departures.
He reviewed procedures for receiving and dispatching pilgrims, including departure hall operations, service performance, and overall efficiency, aiming to ensure a smooth travel experience that meets international standards.
Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj
Leaders from UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait commend King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Updated 08 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations have congratulated the Saudi leadership on successfully managing and organizing the Hajj pilgrimage, which nearly 1.4 million Muslims have undertaken since Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Sunday congratulatory messages from the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, and Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia has employed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to manage this year's Muslim pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
The Kingdom's authorities provided over 1 million Muslim pilgrims with essential services during the Hajj, including water, food, accommodation, transportation, and healthcare at various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
Centuries of Hajj documented in travelers’ chronicles
Pilgrims’ writings provide valuable insights into the history of Muslim civilization
Journeys of barefoot pilgrims, seafaring voyagers and desert caravans preserved
Updated 08 June 2025
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: For centuries, the Hajj pilgrimage has stood as Islam’s most profound convergence of spiritual devotion and physical endurance.
This sacred journey, where the trials of travel merge with the sanctity of worship, has been meticulously documented by countless travelers, scholars and rulers whose written accounts have become invaluable chronicles of the history of Islamic civilization.
From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved across generations through detailed testimonies, books and manuscripts that illuminate both the ritualistic and human dimensions of this transformative journey.
From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)
According to researcher and historian Saad Al-Joudi, the Hajj transcended its purely ceremonial function to become a comprehensive documentation project that captured the essence of Islamic society across different historical periods.
The Andalusian explorer Ibn Jubayr was one of the most meticulous chroniclers, providing exhaustive accounts of his maritime route from Andalusia through Alexandria to the Hejaz from 1183-1185.
His writings detail every stage of the pilgrimage sequence: The ritual consecration at designated boundaries (Ihram), the circumambulation of the Kaaba (Tawaf), the Sa’I (running between Safa and Marwa), the overnight vigil in Mina, the standing at Mount Arafat, the symbolic stone-throwing ceremony, and the final farewell circumambulation.
HIGHLIGHTS
• This sacred Hajj journey has been meticulously documented by countless travelers, scholars and rulers.
• Their written accounts have become invaluable chronicles of the history of Islamic civilization.
• The Andalusian explorer Ibn Jubayr was one of the most meticulous chroniclers, detailing every stage of the pilgrimage sequence.
• Ibn Battuta, who set off on his pilgrimage in 1325, focused extensively on the logistical infrastructure supporting the routes to Makkah.
The renowned traveler Ibn Battuta, who set off on his pilgrimage in 1325, focused extensively on the logistical infrastructure supporting the routes to Makkah.
Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (SPA)
His accounts express wonder at the remarkable unity displayed by Muslims of diverse languages, ethnicities and cultures as they performed identical rituals in perfect synchronization.
He documented the overland passages from the Levant to Madinah, describing rest stations, temporary pilgrim markets and mobile medical facilities.
Majed Al-Yazidi, of Umm Al-Qura University, said that Hajj documentation extended beyond travel writers to include sultans and kings.
From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)
Abbasid caliph Harun Al-Rashid is said to have performed the pilgrimage several times, notably traveling on foot as an expression of humility.
The 13th-century Mamluk ruler, Baibars, established comprehensive supply networks and security installations for pilgrim caravans throughout the Levant and Arabian Peninsula, transforming the Hajj into an integrated socio-political undertaking.
The geographic scope of the pilgrimage routes reflects the civilizational breadth of the Islamic world.
From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved throughout history. (SPA)
Al-Yazidi said that pilgrims from Andalusia and Morocco predominantly traveled by sea, while those from Yemen and the Indian subcontinent used both sea and land routes.
Pilgrims from the Levant, Iraq and Egypt followed established paths, including the famous Darb Zubaidah, Darb Al-Kufa and Egyptian corridor.
These pilgrimage highways catalyzed the development and prosperity of numerous cities along their paths.
Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (Supplied)
Al-Joudi highlighted how these travel accounts provided systematic documentation of Hajj rites.
These chronicles also captured behavioral patterns, regional clothing styles, commercial activities and accompanying cultural practices with remarkable precision.
Humanitarian and social dimensions of the pilgrimage are exemplified in the works of Abdul Ghani Al-Nabulsi, the scholar who began his journey in 1693.
Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (SPA)
Al-Nabulsi documented the extensive cultural exchanges occurring between pilgrims from East Asia to North Africa, recording gift exchanges, manuscript trading and intellectual discussions.
Al-Joudi emphasized that Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details.
He said that among the most prominent was Ibn Battuta, who dedicated extensive passages in his book the Rihla to describing Hajj rituals, sanctuary conditions and caravan movements.
Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details. (Supplied)
Al-Yazidi also highlighted scholar Mohammed Al-Amin Al-Shanqiti, who authored “The Hajj Journey to God’s Sacred House.”
His writings combine precise descriptions with jurisprudential insights and religious rulings, alongside personal observations and interactions with pilgrims from across the globe.
Modern Arabic literature has been enriched by numerous Hajj memoirs. Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad’s “The Hejazi Journey” captures the spiritual atmosphere through a literary lens, while Ibrahim Abdul Qadir Al-Mazini’s “Journey to Hejaz” employs contemplative prose to explore both humorous incidents and profound spiritual experiences.
Mohammed Hussein Haikal’s “In the House of Revelation” offers intellectual and spiritual analysis of his Arabian journey.
Shakib Arslan’s “Pleasant Impressions in the Pilgrim’s Mind” and Ali Al-Tantawi’s “To the Land of Prophecy” combine travel narrative with reformist and educational perspectives.
The documentation tradition extends beyond Arab authors to include remarkable accounts by converts to Islam.
Leopold Weiss (Muhammad Asad) in “The Road to Makkah” and Takeshi Suzuki (Muhammad Saleh) in “A Japanese in Makkah” provide insights into the pilgrimage experience from the perspective of recent converts, demonstrating Islam’s universal appeal across cultural boundaries.
Al-Yazidi said that these diverse travel accounts, despite variations in language and approach, constituted a living historical archive of the Hajj across centuries.
Novice UK sailors arrive in Jeddah after surviving epic Hajj voyage
6 crew members set out on ‘sacred journey’ — with no sailing experience
Saudi authorities win praise for treating pilgrims ‘like honored guests’
Updated 08 June 2025
Hashim Nadeem
MINA: A group of six pilgrims with no previous sailing experience who set off from London on a 59-day maritime adventure have praised Saudi authorities for the welcome they received after finally completing their Hajj voyage.
The UK-based group, aged between 27 and 47, set sail on April 1 and arrived in Jeddah on May 27, just one week before the start of Hajj.
Each member brought a unique set of skills, from IT professionals to community organizers, but none had formal maritime training. Together, they learned to navigate, maintain their vessel, and endure weeks at sea, often facing unpredictable weather and challenging conditions.
The six pilgrims — Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin, Taher Akhtar, and Ayaz Khan — made several stops across Europe and North Africa during their journey, sharing the highs and lows of life at sea with a growing community of followers on social media.
Speaking to Arab News at Mina during Hajj, Wahid, the captain, said that the voyage had been a memorable and life-changing experience.
His favorite moment came after setting off from the Gulf of Suez on the final leg of the journey. Seeing mountains in the distance — the first sign of Saudi Arabia after days of storms and rough seas — brought pure joy. In that moment, he knew they had made it.
Reflecting on their arrival and experience of Hajj, Wahid praised the exceptional care and organization. He said the pilgrimage itself felt calm and manageable compared with the challenges of the sea voyage.
Wahid said the Saudi authorities treated pilgrims like honored guests, with ambulances stationed throughout, volunteers offering water and ice packs, and a clear sense that everyone was committed to making the experience spiritual and memorable.
“They’re (Saudi authorities) looking after them (pilgrims), and they’re trying to make sure that there’s nothing you need. You’re walking down the street, the Boy Scout is there handing you an ice pack to put on your hot head... The policeman passes you a bottle of water... The fire station isn’t just a fire station, they’re standing outside spraying people down with water to cool them off,” he said.
“Every single person here is engaged in trying to make sure that Hajj is an enjoyable, spiritual, wonderful experience.”
Another crew member, Ayaz Khan, said that the challenge of sailing to Hajj was “about pushing himself beyond limits and embracing the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.”
Khan also spoke of the profound welcome awaiting them onshore, saying that the reception was beyond anything he imagined — a dream come true.
His family had never been to Hajj before. When he told his mother he was sailing, she was worried, but he told her that this was bigger than him — it was the chance to complete a sacred journey.
The adventure route led the group through the English Channel and on to Marseille before passing the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete. They sailed through the Suez Canal and finally the Red Sea before arriving in Jeddah.
The seafaring pilgrims spent almost two months off-grid and battling storms on the 1978 Westerly 33 ketch.
Khan said that the maritime pilgrimage has reminded the crew members that the path to spiritual fulfillment often requires navigating uncharted waters — both literally and metaphorically. But with perseverance, humility, and trust, even the most turbulent seas can lead to sacred destinations.
