TORONTO, 4 March 2002 — Incredible seems to be the only appropriate word to describe the courage and mission of Muhammad Abbas Ali, a Pakistani Canadian, who walked over 10,000 kilometers in various countries and undertook an arduous 2,500-km journey on foot from the UAE to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj at the age of 65.
At 77 he skydived 10,500 feet.
Now at 81, he intends to parachute jump.
Abbas is doing all these to help the poor and needy around the world. He has also been preaching for peace whenever and wherever he went out on any cause-related mission.
“I have dedicated my life to the humanitarian cause for I know that service to humanity is service to God,” he says.
In an interview, Abbas, who is still agile and energetic, said: “The challenges that I have been accepting despite my advancing age are aimed at proving a point that every one in this world is in a position to help others.”
Abbas, a retired army officer, has participated in numerous charity walkathons for several international welfare organizations such as UNICEF, International Islamic Hospitals Society, Canadian Arthritis Society, Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (UK), Children in Need Program — BBC (UK) and the Canadian Association of Pakistani Media and Mohibban of Pakistan.
Abbas, who suffered from kidney problems and osteoarthritis of the left knee, became the first modern man to make the pilgrimage to Makkah on foot in April 1986. Undaunted by wild camels, snakes and scorpions, he took 35 days to reach Riyadh from Abu Dhabi after having walked for about 1,000 kilometers. From the Saudi capital, he moved on to the western part of the Kingdom to perform Haj in Makkah and then proceeded to Madinah to visit the Prophet’s Mosque. He took 78 days to complete his historic journey. During his stay in the holy land, Abbas prayed for global peace. While on his way from UAE to Makkah and Madinah, he was chased by wild camels, scorpions and snakes.
Fondly known as Major Abbas, the charity walker established in Canada a Muslim Welfare Center in 1993 and Muslim Welfare Home for needy women and children in 1995. In 1997 he also set up a branch of Muslim Welfare Center in Mississauga, 30 kilometers west of Toronto. His organization is now undertaking yet another prestigious project — the Muslim Welfare Complex — to be built in Scarborough at an estimated cost of 5.5 million Canadian dollars. When completed, the multi-purpose complex will provide enormous facilities for handicapped and elderly people. “Their Whitby-based Welfare Home, a shelter for needy women and children, is really wonderful,” said 20-year-old Aasia, who took refuge there for 17 days after her husband beat and kicked her out of their house. Aasia later returned to her parents’ home in America.
