5 from UP's Ballia who went on pilgrimage to Iran return safely to India

Five people from of Ballia who went on a pilgrimage to Iran and were stranded there amid escalating tensions in the Middle East have safely returned to their hometown on Tuesday.

They expressed their gratitude to the Indian and Iranian governments for facilitating their safe return.

The five pilgrims: Syed Asad Ali Bakar, Syed Mohammad Muztaba Hussain, Syed Mohammad, Shama Jahan, and Syed Nazmusqib, residents of Rasra town in Ballia district, were stuck in the Iranian capital, Tehran, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.


They arrived in Ballia on Tuesday morning.

Hussain told PTI that their religious tour was originally planned for seven days, but due to the conflict, they were forced to stay in Iran for over two weeks.

The group reached Iraq on May 28 for the pilgrimage and later travelled to Iran on June 7. They remained there until June 21.

Recalling the experience, Hussain said that while the situation in Iran was "frightening" with missiles being fired, daily life for the public remained largely normal. Shops were open and places of worship continued to see regular foot traffic, he added.

The group stayed in a hotel in Tehran anxious about the uncertainty surrounding their return to India.

Hussain said that the Iranian government was actively facilitating the return of foreign nationals and also appreciated the Indian Embassy's efforts in ensuring their safe repatriation.