Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Muslims Trekking To Washington D.C.

Eight Pakistani "tourists" visited Prescott Wednesday, spending the night at Operation Breadbasket, praying for peace and then leaving Thursday morning.

The Syed Ahmad, who acted as spokesman for the group, said their purpose was a mission of peace as they walked from Dallas, Texas to Washington, D.C.

They walk an average of 10 to 15 miles per day, depending on how far apart communities are. They stop at each town or city and seek lodging for a night.

The group never asks for food, as they have a van following which is filled with foods which meet their dietary needs.

Because they are Islamic Muslims, they are not allowed to eat pork products. Therefore, their van carries the rice and beef they cook each night for their meals.

"We are praying for the benefit and prosperity of humankind," Syed said, "so all may be successful in this world and the hereafter."

The group arrived in New York Sept. 14, 1995 and traveled to Dallas in a van. They began their walk, which, they estimate, will take about seven months, on Sept. 20.

Syed said they should reach Washington by April 1996 at the pace they have been travelling.

"We are going on foot from locality to locality praying to the Lord for peace in this life and success in the hereafter."

The tourists hail from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. According to Syed, they have no plans once they reach Washington, other than to see the sights and return to New York.

The troop has been enjoying America's parks, lakes and forests. "We are tourists on foot to see America," Syed said, "truly tourists. We want to see the lakes and parks; to see people go about their daily lives. We are sincere."

Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines said his office received several calls when the group arrived in Prescott, but after checking them out discovered they were legitimate.

"It's some kind of religious deal," he said. "They do a lot of walking. I checked them out. We've had no trouble from them, but people called. They're concerned."

Syed complimented the people the group has met so far, saying, "People are very good. We've had no trouble. The people have been very nice and cooperative.

He said it is their belief the good they do now will be rewarded in the hereafter. "Our stay in this world," Syed said, "is small. Like a drop to the ocean. All deeds we do here, our actions in this world, will be given benefit in the hereafter.

"If we do good deeds the Lord will be kind and reap rewards in heaven. All will be in paradise. We are working so the whole of mankind will be in paradise. We pray in all localities so all can go to paradise."

Because of their religious beliefs, Syed and his companion Maqbool Ahmad did not want their photographs taken. Under their beliefs, when a photo is taken, the person's soul is stolen.