“We Came to Pray, Not to Flee”: Bihari Pilgrims Cut Iran-Iraq Trip Short Amid War Tensions

Patna: A group of 21 pilgrims from Bihar, including an 85-year-old woman, are returning to India after cutting short their Iran-Iraq pilgrimage due to escalating tensions in the region. The group, which left Siwan district on June 3 to mark Eid-e-Ghadir, found themselves caught in the middle of the Israel-Iran conflict.

Among them is Hasan, a resident of Siwan, who emotionally shared over the phone, “Ammi always wanted to visit Karbala. I finally got the chance to take her. But now, stuck in the middle of this crisis, I’ve felt true fear for the first time. My views on war have completely changed.”

Five Days Stranded in Najaf

The group had been stranded in Najaf for the past five days, awaiting their next leg to Iran. As the situation worsened and the India-Iran air route became uncertain, they decided to return from Iraq instead.

Maulana Shaukat Ali, a student pursuing an MA in Arabic Studies in Nafaz, Iraq, stepped in to assist the group after learning that several members were from his hometown. “Though I had no prior knowledge of their visit, I felt responsible once I heard. These are our people. They came to seek blessings but found fear instead,” he said.

Ali arranged for the group to be transported via private bus to Basra airport, from where they are attempting to secure flights back to Delhi.

“We Haven’t Slept in Days”

Speaking from Iraq, Hasan described the psychological toll. “We haven’t been able to sleep for seven nights. Everyone is nervous and scared. That’s why we decided not to continue to Iran and return home instead.”

Maulana Ali added, “I’ve stayed back in Iraq for studies, but in these circumstances, it is more important to be with our people. The look of fear on their faces says it all. They trust me because I’ve lived here and can guide them.”

No Government Support So Far

Despite repeated attempts to contact Indian authorities, the group claims no assistance has been received from the state or central governments. “We’ve had to cancel our onward tickets to Iran and hotel bookings. No refunds have come through. The 8-hour journey to Basra by road is not easy for elderly people,” Ali said.

The group estimates that they’ve each spent an additional $500-550 during the ordeal. “We are still not home. Until we land in India, the anxiety won’t go away,” Ali added.

Broader Evacuation Underway

Meanwhile, the Indian government has successfully evacuated around 110 Indian students from Iran’s Urmia Medical University, 90 of whom are from Kashmir. These students were taken by bus to the Norduz border with Armenia and flown out via Yerevan Airport.

As geopolitical tensions rise, many Indian citizens in the Middle East are facing uncertainty and fear.