Syrian youth walking to Mecca halted at border

Wide interactions continue across social media platforms regarding the story of young Syrian Abdullah Hammoud Al-Naif, from the village of Zghair Jazirah in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, following his exceptional journey toward Mecca on foot to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. According to Al-Naif, the initiative stems from a recurring dream three times in which he saw the Prophet Muhammad, requesting him to head to Mecca on foot and complete the Holy Quran there two hundred times. Fulfilling this vision, Al-Naif left the Deir ez-Zor countryside, crossing several Syrian provinces until reaching Daraa, before arriving at the Nassib border crossing with Jordan, where he encountered an administrative obstacle regarding border regulations prohibiting pedestrian crossing, while rejecting a vehicular transport offer to strictly adhere to the vision. In a related context, the story took a new turn after Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Sharif announced via Facebook his responsibility for halting the Syrian youth and preventing him from continuing his walking journey to the Holy Lands. Al-Sharif expressed gratitude to the Saudi Dar Al-Ifta for the prompt response to prevent what he described as innovations and seditions, noting joint coordination between Saudi and Jordanian authorities to prevent sedition and return Al-Naif to Syrian territory. This statement ignited a sharp public division on social media, fluctuating between supporters viewing the act as an innovation to be avoided, and opponents emphasizing good intentions and sincere determination to answer the spiritual call. Al-Naif remains stationed at the Jordanian border awaiting permission to cross toward the Holy Lands.