VASCO
Shihab Chottur who has embarked on a walking expedition from his native Malappuram in Kerala to Mecca by foot was accorded warm welcome by the Muslim community at Verna on Monday.
Chottur began his walking journey to Mecca from Malappuram on June 3 and reached Verna on Monday.
A large number of people followed Chottur as he entered the Masjid despite heavy rains, as he entered the 19th day of his walking pilgrimage. Among those welcoming him were members of Al-Qadriya United Front of Vasco, Mormugao Sunni Muslim Federation and other organisations.
Chottur later performed the Nanaz-e-Zohar at Masjid Mehboob-E-Subhani at Verna and was later felicitated for his dedication and courageous act, walking all the way from Kerala to Mecca.
Chottur will use the coastal route to cross Gujarat and will reach the Wagah border to cross from India to get to Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and finally reach Saudi Arabia in 2023 after a foot journey of around 300-odd days.
He has the visas to all five countries with him and will apply for the Haj in 2023 after getting to Saudi Arabia.
The distance from his native place to Mecca is 8,640 kilometres and the journey would take around 280 to 320 days. His goal is to get to Mecca just in time for the next Haj pilgrimage.
