Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth, TwoCircles.net
Handwara (Jammu and Kashmir): For over two decades, Ghulam Ahmed Dar, 70, a daily wage laborer from Tutigund village in Handwara, saved every rupee he could to fulfill a lifelong dream – going on the Hajj pilgrimage with his wife (Zareefa Begum).
Working as a daily wage earner, he saved nearly Rs 13 lakhs – a monumental sum for someone from his background. This year, the couple’s dream finally came true when they were shortlisted for Hajj 2025.
“It was the happiest moment of my life. I had always imagined offering prayers in Makkah and Madinah along with my wife,” Ghulam told TwoCircles.net
Their flight from Srinagar to Madinah was scheduled for May 12. Keeping with tradition in Kashmir, the Dar family organised a farewell gathering on May 6 and 7. Relatives from across the district came to bless the couple and celebrate their long-awaited journey. But everything changed on the morning of May 8, when they received a message from the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee informing them that flights were being delayed due to the armed escalation between India and Pakistan.
A day earlier, India air strikes on Pakistan following heightened tensions after the April 22 deadly Pahalgam attack. As a result, 25 airports, including Srinagar, was shut down due to security concerns.
Ghulam was devastated. “I broke down. We were just a few days away from the journey of our lives,” he said.
He has been waiting anxiously for an update, regularly asking his son every hour to check for a message or call. “Every hour feels like a year,” he said.
His family, too, remains under emotional strain, trying to comfort him while holding onto hope that flights will resume and the couple’s lifelong dream will not be lost to geopolitical turmoil beyond their control.
The Hajj pilgrimage is considered one of the most sacred obligations in a Muslim’s life. It takes place annually during the five days from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, with specific rituals assigned to each day. Since most Muslims are able to perform Hajj only once in their lifetime, it holds deep spiritual and emotional significance and requires extensive preparation to ensure a fulfilling and meaningful experience.
For 2025, Hajj is expected to commence from June 6 till June 11. Commonly referred to as hajis, Indian pilgrims are generally scheduled for a 40-day journey. This extended period allows them not only to complete the core rituals of Hajj but also to visit important religious and historical sites, including the sacred city of Madinah and other Islamic heritage.
This year, 3,622 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are set to perform Hajj. However, only around 300 have reached Madinah so far, as all flights have been postponed until at least May 14.
Dr. Shujaat Ahmed Qureshi, executive officer of the J&K Hajj Committee, told TwoCircles.net that although they are hopeful flights will resume soon following the ceasefire, no specific dates can be confirmed yet.
“We will wait until the 20th of this month, and if flights do not resume by then, we plan to reroute the pilgrims to Delhi and send them from there,” he said and urged hajis to remain calm and assured them that there is still sufficient time.
Mohd Yousuf Wani, a resident of Anantnag, had been planning to perform hajj with his wife and brother since 2017. This year, their dream finally seemed within reach. His brother’s flight was scheduled for May 7 and his own for May 10.
The family had already hosted a grand farewell gathering on May 8, attended by nearly 120 people. But on the morning of May 8, just as his brother was preparing to leave, news of the India-Pakistan conflict escalation broke out and reports of flight delays began circulating.
“It shook us completely. We could not believe it at first. We kept switching channels to confirm whether it was real,” he said.
Only after receiving an official message from the Hajj Committee did they accept the grim reality. He said the entire family was devastated by the news. Still holding onto hope, Wani concluded, “I just pray things settle down soon so we can proceed with our pilgrimage.”
Stranded But Steadfast
Since the onset of flight postponement, those scheduled for the hajj pilgrimage have been under constant stress. Many families have postponed their farewell ceremonies, clinging to the hope that the situation will improve in time for them to embark on their spiritual journey.
Dr. Shujaat said the Hajj Committee continues to receive a high volume of calls from concerned pilgrims, many of whom now fear their pilgrimage may be cancelled altogether.
“We want to reassure everyone that every possible effort is being made to ensure their departure. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain hopeful for a positive update from airport authorities and the government soon,” he said.
Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Shangus in Anantnag, had his hajj flight scheduled for May 8. He had already departed for Srinagar, but just as he neared the Hajj House in the city, he received the heartbreaking news about the flight delays. Though deeply upset, he decided not to return home and instead went to stay at his son’s rented accommodation in Srinagar.
“I did not go back because it would be too painful. I had already bid farewell to my home for 40 days. Going back now would bring unnecessary stress. I will only return once I complete hajj, InshaAllah,” Farooq said.
He and his wife, who had been planning this pilgrimage for the past five years, remain hopeful they will still be able to embark on it this year.
While many hajis continue to hope and pray, others are overwhelmed with anxiety, particularly those living in sensitive border areas.
Mohammad Rafi, a resident of Tangdaar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, said although the news of flight delays has not shaken his resolve, he is deeply concerned about the overall situation in the Valley.
“I am confident a way will be found, and my wife and I will be able to perform the pilgrimage,” he said.
However, he expressed serious concern over the recent rise in regional tensions. “I just want peace for our land. I will pray for Kashmir when I am there. May these tensions fade, and may we all live in harmony,” he added.
While a ceasefire agreement has sparked cautious optimism and raised hopes that flight operations may resume soon, the ground reality remains tense.