MAKKAH: Hundreds of believers from flood-hit Pakistan performed Haj with fervor and prayed for peace and prosperity in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They wholeheartedly prayed for the fast recovery of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
One thing that was evident on their glowing faces was their unwavering faith in Almighty Allah, which gave them "strength to face the calamity."
"It was the Almighty who saved us, brought our lives back to normal, gave us strength and resources to take up the pilgrimage," said Imran Haider from Dera Ghazi Khan.
Another pilgrim, Chaudhry Nematullah of Sargoda, who survived near death in the floods, said: "My faith in the Almighty gave me enormous strength to swim for almost three hours until I was rescued by the army boat. I performed Haj to thank Allah for giving me a new lease of life. I sold some of my land and other things to take up the pilgrimage. Nobody but Allah was with us and it's only He Who helps us."
Pakistani pilgrims said they were praying for victims of the flood and also for King Abdullah's health and long life.
"The way the king came to our help in the aftermath of the deadly floods is unprecedented and exemplary. He made our life safe and secure and ensured that relief and rehabilitation reaches thousands of distraught victims. Every Pakistani is indebted and was praying for King Abdullah's early and complete recovery," said Nadeem Sheikh, a pilgrim from flood-hit Sindh province.
Pakistan was struck with floods in September-October, losing around 2,000 lives. The number of people suffering from the massive floods in Pakistan exceeded the combined total in three recent mega disasters - the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, according to the United Nations.
Sheikh said although he managed to escape floods that submerged villages and destroyed homes, a total lack of government support meant dying may have been a better alternative.
"It would have been better if I had died in the floods as our misery in the aftermath of the floods is much more painful," said Sheikh, who fled with his family from the town of Shikarpur.
Sheikh said, "Though we received aid and assistance from all over the globe but the manner and warmth which was there in Saudi efforts for our relief was unprecedented. In the moment of utter distress the only ray of hope was the Saudi aid convoy. We will never forget this act of kindness and generosity of King Abdullah. Not only the flood victims but also every Pakistani will always remain indebted and obliged. We cannot do much except praying for the good health of the king and peace and prosperity in the Kingdom."
The pilgrims were highly critical of the manner in which their government handled the crisis.
"It was very painful to see our people living without food and shelter, but it was more painful and frustrating to realize that our government failed on all fronts to provide relief and rehabilitation," said Zubair Khan, a pilgrim from Thatta city in Sindh.
"Thousands of people in the neighboring districts of Shikarpur and Sukkur camped out on roads, bridges and railway tracks, any dry ground they could find, often with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and perhaps a plastic sheet to keep off the rain," said Zubair.
"I had no utensils. I had no food for my children. I had no money," said 40-year-old Sumairan Mai. "We were able to escape the floodwater, but were not sure whether we will survive hunger afterward."
"It was very bad, very bad and we are all thinking about it and praying for those who died and their families," Abdul Farid said near the Jamrat Bridge.
Farid lauded the Kingdom for its support and assistance when it was most needed: "The government of Saudi Arabia did much more than what we had expected from this brotherly country, which, in fact, is a second home to all Pakistanis."
© Arab News 2010
