After Iran-Israel ceasefire, Mumbai pilgrims begin journey to Iraq's Karbala

A group of around 40 pilgrims began their spiritual journey to Karbala in Iraq on Saturday morning as airlines resumed operations in West Asian countries following a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran by US President Donald Trump earlier this weekldquoTheir prayers were answeredrdquo said Abul Hasan Khan director of Alico Tourism while seeing off the pilgrims bound for Karbala home to the holy shrines of Imam Hussain his brother Abbas ibn Ali and other martyrsThe holy Islamic month of Muharram commenced on Friday Since then areas in south Mumbai such as Byculla Dongri and JJ Marg have seen large gatherings attending religious sermons known as majliseImam Hussain Shia Muslims observe this month in mourning with processions held over the first 10 daysmdashAshura the 10th day marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain the grandson of Prophet MuhammadGroup of pilgrims at the airport on Saturday morningMuharram is followed by Safar during which hundreds of Mumbai pilgrims traditionally travel to KarbalaAbul Hasan said ldquoThe first batch of 40 pilgrims departed from Mumbai International Airport on the morning of June 28 I was in constant communication with Iraqi Airways who were extremely supportive offering clear and timely updates I sincerely thank them for their cooperation especially with the lastminute logistical arrangements in Iraq This group will only visit Iraq beginning with Najaf where Imam Alirsquos shrine is located Theyrsquoll then perform ziyarats pilgrimage at other shrines and stay in Karbala for AshurardquoHe added ldquoMillions travel to Karbala for Ashura from around the world Local authorities treat arrangements seriously and generally pilgrims do not face difficulties My company has arranged local transport food and other essentials to meet basic needsrdquoldquoMany in this group had been praying constantly since tensions erupted and the airspace was closed Today Saturday emotions were evident on their faces as they finally began their journeyrdquo Hasan saidHe continued ldquoAfter the ceasefire was announced people started calling me and others at the company immediately I reached out to various airlines and secured tickets for the first group departing on June 28 Visas had already been issued for these pilgrims For others wersquove rescheduled travel to later datesrdquoGroup of pilgrims at the airport on Saturday morningMidDay had earlier reported how many Mumbaikars who had been planning their trips for months were left heartbroken due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iraq followed by the US strike on Iran which led to regional travel restrictions and airspace closures across West AsiaAlso Read Middle East war US strikes in Iran leave Muharram tours in limboMohammad Sajjadali Rizvi 39 a business head at a prominent fashion firm and a religious poet known as Wila Hallauri told midday ldquoIrsquove visited Karbala for Ashura for the past seven years and had planned this trip well in advance I contacted tour organisers during Ramzan May 2025 Everything was smooth until the war started It made me anxious hoping every day for some resolution For 12 days straight I checked Google daily for news on reopened airspace and tracked developments After the US strike in Iran I feared the worst Then Iran hit a US base in Qatar and I thought all hope was lostrdquoHe added ldquoOne morning I woke up at 5 am and found a message from a friend saying Trump had declared a ceasefire I checked international news sites and confirmed it Then I verified whether flights from Mumbai were operating again When the tour organiser confirmed the Ashura trip was on I was overwhelmed It felt like a burden had been liftedrdquoRizvi said ldquoI call it a miracle Just a week ago West Asia was in turmoil and everything was uncertain Suddenly things changed and now Irsquom going to Karbala for Ashura I thank the Almighty for hearing our prayersrdquoAs many packed hurriedly emotions were high Several rushed to the airport focused solely on clearing immigration and boarding their flightWila Hallauri a professional religious poet who is also travelling with the groupAltaf Devjani a 35yearold businessman from south Mumbai told midday ldquoTears welled up in my eyes when the tour coordinator told me my departure for Karbala was confirmed for June 28 morning I had been in touch with Alico Tours for a month Irsquove visited for Arbaeen for eight years but this is my first Ashura Everything changed rapidly because of the conflict As a Shia Muslim I believe one cannot reach Karbala without being invited by Imam Hussain and Abbas ibn Alimdashthis pilgrimage only happens with their blessingrdquoHe continued ldquoI was on a business trip in China when the tensions escalated I was very anxious and constantly thinking whether Irsquod be able to go this year I hoped the situation would stabilisemdashand thankfully it did Irsquom finally goingrdquoAltaf added ldquoI had planned this Ashura trip over a month ago Some friends from Ahmedabad will join me in a day or two We were heartbroken as the war intensified We followed every news update Once the ceasefire was announced hope returned I immediately contacted the tour coordinators and booked my spot on the Iraqi Airways flight for June 28 morning And now here I am finally heading to the holy shrines in Karbala I truly believe this journey became possible through the power of prayerrdquo