Dozens of Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana remain stranded in Saudi Arabia after Indian carriers cancelled flights, leaving some without medicines, money or clarity on when they can return home, Telangana Today reported.
Among those waiting is Shahajahu, a 64-year-old resident of Rajendranagar in Hyderabad who has a chronic ailment and is reportedly running short of medicines and funds. Her son, Mohammed Anwar, has been trying to secure her return but has not received a confirmed timeline, according to the report.
The pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia through tour operators based in Hyderabad and are staying in groups at hotels in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. Jeddah is the nearest major city to Makkah and has become a key location for those trying to arrange alternative journeys home.
Some passengers who could afford higher fares have booked seats on Gulf-based regional airlines. Others have travelled by road to Dammam, a distant city, before crossing into neighbouring Bahrain or Qatar to find flights to Hyderabad. These alternatives are not accessible to everyone, particularly elderly passengers, people with health conditions and those unable to absorb steep additional costs.
The disruption has also affected pilgrims who have exhausted their approved leave from work. Mohammed Aslam, a private-sector employee from Yousufguda, is among those concerned about the consequences of remaining abroad after his leave expired. Other young professionals are reportedly facing similar employment-related uncertainty.
The flight cancellations have had serious consequences for at least one traveller. Razia Begum, 59, a resident of Shadnagar in Rangareddy district, died in Abu Dhabi during a transit stop on Monday while returning from Jeddah. The report said she had travelled on an Indian carrier and had already paid a high fare for her return ticket.
Pilgrims had hoped on Tuesday night that flights to Hyderabad would resume, but no travel plans had been communicated to them by Wednesday afternoon, Saudi time, according to Telangana Today. The absence of confirmed schedules has left passengers dependent on updates from airlines, tour operators and Indian officials.
The Indian consulate is working with local airlines to repatriate the stranded pilgrims, sources cited in the report said. However, the report did not provide a confirmed number of passengers affected, a formal airline schedule or a published repatriation timetable.
Amid the uncertainty, members of the Hyderabadi community in Saudi Arabia have volunteered to provide the stranded pilgrims with food and traditional milk tea. The assistance offers some immediate support while the affected passengers continue waiting for confirmed arrangements to return to Hyderabad.
