Administrator
05 March 2026
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If reports are to be believed, more than 4000 migrant workers from Jharkhand are working in the UAE and Iran. Because of the ongoing U.S- Israel vs Iran war, they remain stranded in Gulf countries, leaving their families in Jharkhand anxiously awaiting updates amid Eid festivity.
Zahid( all names in this text changed to keep identity undisclosed) is one of them. On February 28, following regional missile exchanges, when debris from a drone fell near the Fairmont Hotel, Zahid was among those who witnessed the scene.
He says, “I was barely 6km away from the incident. Our office is there. I am a little nervous, but my family is much more worried. I was supposed to go home for Eid, but the flights were cancelled.”
In many Muslim families, the wedding season begins soon after Eid. Many people living in Gulf countries return home in large numbers during this time.
In Ranchi, Irshad, the nephew of Shamshad, is scheduled to get married on March 24, the fourth day of Eid. Shamshad says, “Irshad and his six brothers who live in Dubai had flights booked for 15 March, but they were cancelled. Both families have completed all wedding preparations, but there is still no confirmation about the groom’s arrival. We request the government to arrange for their return.”
Among a group of around one hundred people from Jharkhand who had travelled to Dubai last week on a business tour, several have released videos on social media seeking help from the Government of India. They had gone from Ranchi through a private company for a business tour. Due to the sudden escalation, airports were shut, making their return impossible for now.
Some employees had travelled with their families and have been staying in hotels since the attacks. The group includes people from Ranchi, Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and other districts. Families remain in contact through phone and video calls, but anxiety is growing. The company has arranged additional hotel stays and meals. Those stranded have appealed for safe evacuation.
Meanwhile, the return of several groups from Jharkhand who had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah has also become difficult.
Anwar’s elderly sister, Aamna Khatoon, who lives in Ranchi, is stranded in Saudi Arabia. She had gone for Umrah and was scheduled to return on 6 March, but her flight was cancelled.
Anwar says, “My sister and three relatives who went with her were supposed to return on March 6. There is still no confirmation about when they will come back. Everyone at home is very worried. There is a lot of suspense. Even if flights resume, there will be fear about possible attacks. We are worried about their safe return. We have left everything to Allah.”
Last week, a group of fifty people from Ranchi travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah through Alif Haj Umrah Travel Agency. According to the agency, they are scheduled to return to India a day before Eid. They are currently in Mecca completing the rituals. There is not much unrest in Mecca and Medina, but uncertainty over flights continues.
Activist Nehal Ahmed says that many migrant workers return home around Eid. Since Jharkhand has a large number of such workers, he says, “During Covid, when workers from Jharkhand were stranded in different parts of the country, Hemant Soren was the first Chief Minister to begin bringing them back. I appeal to the Jharkhand government to take similar steps now and bring back workers stranded in the Gulf.”
Last week, a group of fifty people from Ranchi travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah through Alif Haj Umrah Travel Agency. According to the agency, they are scheduled to return to India a day before Eid. They are currently in Mecca completing the rituals. There is not much unrest in Mecca and Medina, but uncertainty over flights continues.
Activist Nehal Ahmed says that many migrant workers return home around Eid. Since Jharkhand has a large number of such workers, he says, “During Covid, when workers from Jharkhand were stranded in different parts of the country, Hemant Soren was the first Chief Minister to begin bringing them back. I appeal to the Jharkhand government to take similar steps now and bring back workers stranded in the Gulf.”
CM Hemant Soren has expressed concern over the rapidly changing situation in Gulf countries and appealed to Jharkhand residents and all Indians there to remain cautious. He has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to take necessary steps to bring back the stranded Indians. The State Migrant Control Room has issued several toll-free, landline and WhatsApp numbers.
Note: All inputs courtesy outlookindia.com
