Man walking on foot to Mecca gets rousing reception in Mangaluru

MANGALURU: A young man from Athavanad near Valanchery in Malappuram district of Kerala, who is on an 8,640kms journey on foot to perform Haj, was given a rousing welcome by the Muslim community here during his entry into the coastal city.
Shihab Chottur, 30, who had set out from his native place on June 2, entered Mangaluru city late on Thursday and stayed at the Juma Masjid in Pumpwell before resuming his journey on Friday. Shihab, who runs a supermarket in Kerala, aims to walk all the way to Saudi Arabia via India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait.
A large crowd received Shihab at the border in Talapady. Shihab was making preparations for the past eight months to perform Haj by crossing six nations, without travelling in vehicles. Union minister of state for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and several others helped Shihab to make his dream a reality. He will be walking through Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and will enter Pakistan via Wagah border.
Shihab said, “My goal is to walk 8,640 kms in 280 days. Hence, I have been walking an average of 25kms a day. My aim is to perform Haj in 2023. Haj pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam that everyone from the community would like to perform at least once in a lifetime. My family members, friends and others have extended cooperation for my journey."
He has been carrying a 10kg backpack containing a bedsheet, t-shirts and trousers and an umbrella in his hand. He takes shelter in masjids on the way.
Dakshina Kannada District Muslim Okkoota president K Ashraf said, “Let all of us pray for Shihab to complete his journey successfully.”