The story of Alif Mahmud, a 28-year-old from Bogura, Bangladesh, has touched millions of hearts around the world. In April 2024, he began an extraordinary solo journey on foot to fulfil his lifelong dream — performing Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Over the next nine months, Alif walked through Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, covering more than 8,000 kilometres (about 5,000 miles). His journey ended in January 2025, when he finally reached Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and performed Tawaf — circling the Kaaba with tears of gratitude.
A Journey of Faith and Strength
Alif was not a professional traveller or athlete. He once worked in a garment factory and had no experience in long-distance walking. Yet, his faith gave him strength. He saved what little money he could and received small donations from kind supporters to make his dream possible.
He carried only a backpack with a few basic items — a Quran, prayer mat, water bottle, and some clothes. He often slept in mosques, roadside shelters, or under the open sky. Walking 30 to 40 kilometres a day, he faced deserts, mountains, and harsh weather with nothing but a walking stick and deep belief in Allah.
Highlights and Challenges
- Starting Point and Route: Alif started from Bogura, entered India through West Bengal, walked through Delhi, then entered Pakistan via Karachi and Balochistan. He crossed into Iran through Taftan, walked across its deserts, and finally entered Saudi Arabia via the UAE border.
- Physical Challenges: He suffered from blisters, dehydration, and exhaustion. In Iran’s Dasht-e Lut Desert, temperatures reached 50°C, forcing him to walk at night.
- Visa and Border Issues: Getting visas for multiple countries was not easy. At one point, he was briefly detained at the Pakistan–Iran border due to missing travel documents.
- Emotional Struggles: Alif missed his family deeply. He often shared emotional video messages, reciting verses from the Quran for strength.
- Security Risks: Some areas in Balochistan were unsafe, but locals often helped him out of respect for his faith — offering food, water, and sometimes short rides.
Key Milestones
- Reached Lahore, Pakistan, in 45 days (1,500 km).
- Crossed into Iran around day 90 (3,000 km).
- Entered Saudi Arabia on day 240, visiting Madinah first to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque, before walking on to Makkah.
Global Recognition and Online Fame
By late 2024, Alif’s story had gone viral on social media. Hashtags like #AlifWalksToMecca and #UmrahOnFoot were trending across the Muslim world. Millions followed his updates on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
One viral post said:
“Alif Mahmud walked from Bangladesh to Makkah — 8,000 km in nine months — driven by faith alone.”
When he finally reached Makkah, videos showed him falling in prostration, crying as he thanked Allah. Speaking to Saudi media, he said,
“Every step was a dua (prayer). Allah made the impossible possible.”
In Bangladesh, Alif is now seen as a symbol of faith and determination. Schools and communities invite him to speak, and he plans to write a book about his journey.
Why His Story Matters
In today’s world of easy air travel and instant comfort, Alif’s journey reminds us what true devotion means. His pilgrimage reflects patience, courage, and deep trust in Allah.
It wasn’t just about reaching Makkah — it was about the lessons learned on the way: the kindness of strangers, the strength found in hardship, and the quiet power of walking towards faith, one step at a time.
As one admirer wrote online:
“This is what faith looks like — one foot in front of the other, walking towards the Divine.”
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