Indian Man Goes on Hajj by Walking 8,640 Km for a Year

Dream - Shihab Chottur, a Muslim man from Kerala, India, has finally fulfilled his dream of performing Hajj. Not by plane, ship, motorcycle, or bicycle, this man became a guest of Allah SWT by walking to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Chottur walked through India, Pakistan, Iran, and Kuwait for a distance of 8,640 kilometers to reach Saudi Arabia.

He started walking from his hometown in northern Kerala on June 2, 2022, crossing the Kuwait border to Saudi Arabia in the second week of May 2023.

Chottur visited Medina, the second holiest city in Islam and the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad SAW, before heading to Mecca 21 days later.

The Keralite, who documented Chottur's journey on his YouTube channel, walked nearly 440 kilometers between Medina and Mecca in just nine days. He will complete the final stage of this Hajj when his mother, Zainaba, arrives from Kerala.

The year-long journey was not easy. When he reached the Wagah border in Punjab in September, he was stopped by Pakistani authorities for not having a visa.

Obtaining a visa in February 2023, Chottur finally managed to enter Pakistan and continue his journey to Saudi Arabia. Now, over a year after he started walking, Chottur has finally arrived in the Holy Land of Mecca.

Source: timesnownews.com

The Story of Toru, a Japanese Convert Who Waited 12 Years to Perform Hajj

Dream - The desire to perform Hajj is felt by all Muslims, including converts. Just like this Japanese citizen who now resides in Indonesia.

His distinctive appearance, unlike the natives, has made him the center of attention among the Hajj pilgrims from the village of Dangin Puri Kelod, East Denpasar, Bali.

Toru Tokoi, who has registered for Hajj since 2011, has finally had the opportunity to go to the holy land with this year's group.

The 73-year-old man admitted that he initially registered for Hajj because he was invited and wanted to accompany his beloved wife.

"My wife was the one who initially invited me to register for Hajj. I didn't mind because I wanted to accompany her," Toru said.

Actually, Toru had the opportunity to perform Hajj in 2020. However, the pandemic prevented him and his elderly wife from going to Mecca at that time.

"Last year in 2022, I couldn't go either because Hajj pilgrims aged 65 and above were not allowed to perform Hajj," he continued.

After waiting for 12 years, he feels grateful to be called as a guest of Allah to Baitullah through the Surabaya Embarkation, batch 46. 

The man from Tochigi City, about 100 km north of Tokyo, said he has been living in Indonesia since 1995 after marrying his beloved wife from Bali, who has been faithfully by his side until now.

Since then, he has made up his mind to bear witness and recite the two testimonies of faith. He even admitted that he has been circumcised because he converted to Islam.

"Alhamdulillah, because I have become a Muslim, in 1996 I was also circumcised. It was a bit difficult because I was already an adult," he shyly recalled.

According to him, unlike in Japan, religion is an integral part of various aspects of life in Indonesia. Therefore, Toru is very impressed with the religious life in Indonesia.

"There, religion only functions ceremonially when someone dies. There is no visible religious life in daily activities. There are no national holidays for religious festivals," explained Toru.

At his age of over 70, this father of one is still actively playing tennis three times a week. He said he is enjoying his old age.

"I used to manage a large tutoring center in Japan for high school and university entrance exams in Japan. I also taught Mathematics and English," he said.

Now, he has handed over the management of the tutoring center to his friend and spends his days with his wife in Denpasar, Bali. 

During his pilgrimage to the holy land, Toru prays for the well-being and long life of his family.

Toru Tokoi's presence was warmly welcomed by the Chairman of Batch 46, Mr. Jauhar. He appreciates the departure of the convert to the holy land.

"Mr. Toru, if there is anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to contact me," he said kindly.

Not only that, he also prays for Toru to have a smooth pilgrimage to Baitullah and become a righteous pilgrim.

"Mr. Toru has been chosen to be a guest of Allah in the holy land, God willing, it will be accepted and blessed," said Jauhar.

Source: Kemenag Jatim