Okara youth set to embark on Hajj journey on foot
Usman Arshad says he has also walked from his hometown to the Pak-China border, covering a distance of 1,270 kilometres in 34 days. PHOTO: EXPRESS
A resident of Punjab’s Okara district has announced embarking on the holy journey of Hajj pilgrimage on foot next year, saying he wanted to set a record by doing so.
Speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, Usman Arshad said that he had also walked from his hometown to the Pak-China border, covering a distance of 1,270 kilometres in 34 days, in the past.
The youngster added that he now wanted to fulfil his new ambition of performing Hajj pilgrimage on foot, but feared that he would face a lot of difficulties in doing so including getting visas, which only the government could resolve.
He specifically asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help him satiate his passion for visiting the holy cities of Islam.
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Arshad noted that in order to reach the holy city of Makkah, he would have to walk through Iran, Iraq and Kuwait.
"It's considered difficult to get the visas of Iran and Kuwait, but I can get it with some help from the authorities," he maintained.
The youth highlighted that several people have embarked on the holy journey on foot, with an Indian youth too aiming for it.
"If other countries extend a helping hand to their citizens achieve it, why can't ours," he asked.
Arshad has his hoped pinned to the authorities to materialise his dream, once and for all.