Khursheed Ahmed, a 46-year-old native of Allahabad working in Dubai, faced a distressing situation recently when he lost all his belongings in the holy city of Makkah, where he had gone for Umrah pilgrimage. When he returned to Jeddah, desperate and without any resources, he sought help from various quarters but found himself in a dire predicament.
However, his distressing situation turned into an example of commitment to communal harmony, national integrity, and, above all, humanity. It happened when a Hindu youth from Telangana came to the aid of the Muslim traveller who had found himself stranded after his Umrah pilgrimage in Jeddah.
Amidst growing polarization and moments of discord across the country, the people of Telangana, both within their homeland and abroad, continue to uphold the ideals of unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Ganga Jamuna Tahzeeb.”
Kondadam Krishna, a compassionate resident of Telangana, came to Khursheed’s aid. He provided food and shelter to the pilgrim and ensured he reached the Indian consulate safely.
“He (Khursheed) came to please his God. If I help him, my God will reward me”, said Krishna, a marginal worker and native of Metpally town of erstwhile Karimnagar district.
Khursheed, who had lost his mobile phone and contact information, was left in a state of isolation in a foreign land. Despite reaching out to some community leaders from UP for assistance, he was met with indifference, even for something as basic as food.
At this juncture, stranded Khursheed met another person from Kerala, who helped him get in touch with Muzzamil Shaikh, a noted social worker far away in Riyadh.
In turn, Muzzamil contacted some of his friends in Jeddah where Kodandam Krishna had volunteered to shelter the Umrah pilgrim till he completed his documents and return.
The local police report is mandatory in case of loss of Passport. Without a Police report an Indian National is not able to obtain a duplicate passport that enables him or her to return to their host country.
Sympathetic to Khursheed, Indian consulate officials issued an emergency certificate, not a duplicate passport, promptly without any delay, however, with this he can travel back to India only, not United Arab Emirates from where he came and works for livelihood.
One crucial requirement for obtaining a duplicate passport, which is essential for returning to one’s host country, is a local police report. For newcomers, acquiring this report can be challenging. The Indian consulate understood Khursheed’s predicament and promptly issued an emergency certificate to facilitate his return to India. However, this certificate only permits him to travel to India and not to the United Arab Emirates, where he is employed.
Khursheed, grateful for Krishna’s help, expressed his intention to repay the borrowed funds once he receives money from his Dubai employer to purchase a flight ticket back to India.
After returning to Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, Khursheed needs to apply again for a duplicate passport then only he can go to UAE to continue his job.
Social workers Ditchpalli Faruq, Abdul Rafiq also contributed their part in providing required support to pilgrim Khursheed.
Its people like Krishna and Muzzamil can change social fabric and reignite human bonds and instill Indianness.
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