Embodying resilience, determination, and unshakeable faith, 25-year-old Pakistani student Usman Arshad embarked on a daunting 5,400-kilometer journey on foot from his hometown Okara to the holy city of Mecca. He carried a simple backpack and an umbrella in October 2022, propelled by his dream to make the pilgrimage to Hajj unconventionally.
Arshad’s journey traversed Pakistan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. “Every (Muslim) man wishes to come to Mecca, to God’s home and visit Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) mosque, once in their lifetime,” Arshad shared, adding that his unique aspiration was to reach these sacred destinations by foot.
Overcoming Obstacles
Arshad’s initial plan to walk from Pakistan to Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia had to be modified due to difficulty securing visas. Instead, his journey comprised a boat trip from Iran to the UAE, disrupting the continuity of his on-foot pilgrimage. Despite the visa rejection from Iraq, adverse weather conditions, and challenging sleeping arrangements, Arshad remained resilient.
His strength, he credits, came from maintaining a positive outlook. Sporting a banner on his backpack that read “Okara to Mecca for Hajj on foot,” he met numerous individuals along his path. These encounters, he reflects, played a crucial role in keeping his spirits high, even in the most remote and deserted routes.
A Pilgrimage of Perseverance
Hajj, one of the largest religious congregations globally, sees millions of Muslims annually make the pilgrimage. However, few can claim to have experienced this journey in the same way as Arshad. His odyssey, from Okara to Mecca on foot, stands as a testament to perseverance, the power of faith, and the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversities.
