Bhatkal: Shihab Chottur, a 30-year-old pilgrim from Kerala, entered Bhatkal and Uttara Kannada district border on Tuesday morning, where he received a rousing welcome from resident Muslims who wished him success on his 8640-km walk to Makkah for Haj in 2023. Hundreds of people gathered at the Noor Masjid in Bhatkal to meet him. 

Shihab had left Athavnavada in Malappuram district of Kerala on June 2, on foot. On Thursday, June 9, he entered the Talpadi border of Dakshina Kannada district on foot, where he was warmly welcomed by the Muslims. After spending the night at the Pumpwell Masjid in Mangaluru, he set off again on Friday. On Saturday, June 11, he entered the Udupi district. He was accorded a grand welcome by the Muslims in Udupi. Going further, he continued his journey on foot and entered the Bhatkal border of Uttara Kannada district on the 14th of June.

Shihab, who runs a supermarket in Kerala, had been preparing for Hajj for the past eight months and aims to walk to Saudi Arabia via India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. For this, he has to walk 8640-km. Every day he is walking at least 25 km.

Union Minister of state for external affairs V Muralidharan as well as several others helped Shihab start his dream.

Currently, he has entered Karnataka from Kerala. From here he will continue his walk through 5 states which include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, and will enter Pakistan through the Wagah border.

He has been carrying a 10-kg backpack containing bedsheets, clothes and an umbrella. He takes shelter in masjids on the way.

Speaking with SahilOnline, he said that he has to complete this pilgrimage on foot in 280 days and he will perform Hajj next year i.e in 2023. He mentioned the support he received from his family and friends during the trip.