Srinagar, May 24: For many Kashmiri pilgrims, the Haj pilgrimage is not only a journey of faith, but a lifelong dream is fulfilling – a sacred calling for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
However, for many of them who have recently come to the annual Haj, this depth spiritual journey has come from inconvenience, frustration and expectations of expectations.
Videos on social media show a distressed scene: Elderly pilgrims wandered in the hotel rooms in the hotel rooms, the power outage, non-functional lifts and uncomfortable due to insufficient washroom features. In such a clip, an elderly woman is seen completely in discomfort due to some disease, while no immediate medical care was available as shown in the video. “We didn’t expect luxury,” she says to tear, “but at least we expected a place near the basic dignity -cleansing toilets and Haram.”
Abdul Rashid Bhat, a 68 -year -old pilgrim from Anantnag, told Makah Sharif to Rising Kashmir, “We came here with heart -filled hearts, but the circumstances are testing our patience. Our hotel is far from Kaaba Shurf. It takes more than half an hour to reach us, and nothing is very old in America.
Another pilgrim, Fatima John from Baramullah said: “The washroom is shared by more than 10 people. We have to wait for a long time, even for Wazoo”
On contact, Dr. J&K Haj Committee Executive Officer Dr. Shujaat Qureshi accepted complaints but urged for a balanced approach. He said, “The viral video shows only part of the picture. According to the Saudi rules/guidelines, there is a washroom for every ten pilgrims in the housing. The hotel shown meets that standard,” he said. “In the video, the power indicator is on, and the lifts are on – Pilgrims are waiting, not trapped. Rooms and washrooms appear in the appropriate position.”
However, Dr. Qureshi admitted that some hotels were located a legitimate concern. “The only real issue seems to seem distance from Haram,” he accepted. “We have taken up the matter with the Haj Committee of India, which will extend it with Saudi officials. If the distance is more than the permissible limit, pilgrims are entitled to the refund as per guidelines.”
Despite the difficulties, many Kashmiri pilgrims remain flexible, drawing strength from their faith. “It’s difficult, yes,” Bilal Ahmed Dar said, who is the first time with Budgam. “But I keep telling myself – this is also part of the test. We are here for Allah. He can accept our prayers and forgive our shortcomings.”
The Haj Committee has assured the pilgrims that efforts are being made to improve the real issues and ensure that the remaining journey is as smooth and spiritually uplifting as possible.
As thousands of Kashmiri pilgrims, Kaaba and Prayer before Masjid-e-Nabavi, bow their heads, they not only take the expectations of their families back home, but also have better care and dignity desires with this holy path.