Over 50 Ahmedabad Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia Amid Iran-Israel Tensions
Families across multiple neighbourhoods in Ahmedabad are experiencing heightened anxiety as more than 50 Umrah pilgrims from the city remain stranded in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims are unable to depart from Jeddah due to escalating tensions following the recent Iran-Israel conflict, which has led to airport closures and travel disruptions.
Pilgrims Denied Departure at Jeddah Airport
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, representing Jamalpur–Khadia, has been approached by distressed families seeking assistance. He reported that many passengers from areas such as Jamalpur, Juhapura, Sarkhej, and Danilimda, who had travelled for Ramzan umrah, are currently stuck at Jeddah airport. According to Khedawala, approximately 55 pilgrims arrived at the airport but were denied departure. "They were kept standing at Jeddah airport for three or four hours, then they were sent back saying the airport is closed," he stated.
The group, which includes women and children, has now relocated to hotels in Mecca. However, they are facing significant challenges, including shortages of essential supplies. "They don't have money and some have run out of medicines," Khedawala explained, noting that the pilgrims had only prepared for a ten-day trip. He has urgently appealed to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to intervene and coordinate with the external affairs ministry to ensure the safe return of the stranded individuals.
Witness Accounts from the Gulf Region
In a related development, Prashant Babariya, a 32-year-old mechanical engineer from Surat's Singanpor area working at a refinery in Kuwait, described witnessing missile and drone interceptions. "I live in Fahaheel, a coastal city in Kuwait, and work at a nearby oil refinery. The US Al-Salem airbase is right next to the refinery's industrial zone. After Iran launched missiles and drones at the airbase, we could see many of them being intercepted," he said.
Babariya added that the atmosphere remains tense, with sirens frequently heard over the past two days. "We are being taken to work with several precautions, and the atmosphere is tense," he remarked. The Indian embassy has been in regular contact with residents, advising them to use designated shelters and stock up on essentials. "Yesterday, there were queues of people outside malls," he noted, highlighting the local response to the crisis.
Additional Stranded Individuals in Dubai
Meanwhile, Shailesh Amin, an advocate from Vadodara's Karelibaug area, reported being stuck in Dubai under similar circumstances. He described a frightening situation, with loud explosions heard at intervals and missiles spotted overhead. "Every few hours, we hear loud explosions at a distance and also spot a missile fly over our heads," Amin said. While he confirmed his safety, he called the scenario "scary" and expressed hope for government intervention to rescue those stranded in the region.
The ongoing conflict has not only disrupted travel but also heightened security concerns across the Gulf, affecting Indian nationals and pilgrims alike. Authorities are urged to take swift action to address these emergencies and ensure the well-being of all affected individuals.
