SRINAGAR: A 28-year-old youth from Dewar Lolab in Kupwara district has begun a planned nine-month journey to Saudi Arabia by bicycle to perform Umrah.
Parvez Ahmad set out from his native village on August 10, beginning the first leg of a journey that will take him from Kashmir to Delhi by bicycle before he flies to Kazakhstan. From there, he plans to continue cycling through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates before reaching Saudi Arabia.
Ahmad said he had conceived the plan four years ago but could not undertake the journey after suffering a leg fracture. He bought the bicycle last year and spent months preparing by cycling across different parts of the Kashmir Valley.
“I ride cycle everywhere in the Valley for preparation,” he said, explaining that the long journey required extensive preparation.
Ahmad said he had also prayed regularly for the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage and chose August 10 as his departure date.
“I prayed for this day, and chose August 10 for departure to Umrah,” he said.
Describing his planned route, Ahmad said he would cycle from Kashmir to Delhi and take a flight from there to Kazakhstan, before resuming the journey by bicycle.
He expects the journey to take around nine months, although the duration will depend on the route and circumstances.
“If Allah wills, my journey will be completed within nine months,” Ahmad said, appealing to people to pray for his safe passage.
Ahmad also said he was determined to continue despite the weather conditions. “God invited me, I took my belongings on this cycle. This heatwave won’t stop me,” he said.
Local residents have extended their best wishes to Ahmad and prayed for his safe journey, successful completion of the pilgrimage and return home.
Ahmad said the journey was being undertaken with the hope of becoming the first such cyclist from the Kashmir Valley to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
