A remarkable feat was achieved by Shihab Chottur, a determined man from Kerala, who embarked on an extraordinary journey covering over 8,600 km from his home state to the sacred city of Mecca within approximately 370 days.
Starting his marathon expedition on June 2, 2022, Chottur set out to perform the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. His route took him through India, Pakistan, Iran, and Kuwait, ultimately leading him to the revered pilgrimage site.
Covered 440 km between Medina & Mecca in 9 days
Upon entering Saudi Arabia, Chottur first traveled to Medina, a significant Islamic pilgrimage destination. After spending 21 days there, he continued his journey towards Mecca, completing the 440 km stretch between the two cities in an impressive nine days.
Chottur’s ultimate goal is to perform the Haj pilgrimage. Still, he waited for his mother, Zainaba, to join him in Mecca before proceeding with the religious rituals. Throughout his arduous expedition, Chottur informed his followers by regularly updating his YouTube channel.
Roadblock at Wagah Border over visa issues
However, before reaching his final destination, Chottur encountered a significant obstacle. He faced visa issues when attempting to enter Pakistan through the Wagah border. Pakistan’s immigration authorities halted his progress as the Lahore High Court had disregarded his visa petition. Chottur had to reside at a school in Wagah for several months to obtain a transit visa.
Fortunately, the verdict was later challenged in the Supreme Court. In February 2023, Shihab Chottur was granted a transit visa to enter Pakistan. Four months later, he successfully arrived at his long-awaited destination, ready to embark on the Haj pilgrimage.
Shihab Chottur’s incredible journey exemplifies unwavering determination and inspires others seeking to fulfill their spiritual aspirations.
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