Communication Blackout Sparks Fear in Ambedkarnagar Families
Anxiety grips several villages in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkarnagar district. More than one hundred relatives currently live in Iran for education, jobs, and religious purposes. Their families back home struggle to maintain regular contact with them.
Days of Silence Deepen Worries
Prolonged internet disruptions in Iran force families to wait two or three days for brief calls or messages. This communication breakdown intensifies fears as the regional situation evolves. Families express deep concern over the unpredictable silence.
"We believe no harm will come to our people, but the silence is frightening," said Salman Haider. His brother Maulana Haider Abbas moved to Qom nearly three decades ago.
Long-Standing Ties with Iran
Ambedkarnagar shares a profound religious and educational connection with Iran. Devotees frequently visit the dargah of Syed Makhdoom Ashraf in Kichhauchha. Young people from villages like Basakhari, Jalalpur, and Akbarpur often travel to Iranian cities for advanced religious studies.
Members of the Shia community regularly undertake religious pilgrimages to Iran. Local estimates indicate residents from Nagpur, Hajpura, Katghar Kamal, Tanda, and Miranpur areas currently reside in Qom, Tehran, and Mashhad.
Personal Accounts Highlight Distress
Salman Haider described the erratic communication patterns. "Sometimes we manage to speak after 2 or 3 days. Other times, there is complete silence. Every hour without news feels heavier," he stated.
Religious travel plans faced sudden disruption. A group of eighteen to twenty women from Katghar Kamal planned to leave for Iran this Sunday. They intended to visit religious sites in Mashhad and Masoom-e-Qom.
Family member Kasif confirmed the pilgrimage cancellation. "The tickets were booked months in advance, but flights were denied landing permission. The tickets were cancelled, and the families are relieved yet anxious at the same time," he explained.
Families Appeal for Government Action
Several families have appealed to the Indian government. They request precautionary measures, including potential evacuation if necessary.
Mohammad Sadiq of Wajidpur, Jalalpur, shared his experience. His younger brother Mohammad Abid pursues religious studies in Iran. "I last spoke to him on WhatsApp on Wednesday evening. He told me the situation was normal and asked us not to worry," Sadiq said.
Mehndi Hasan of Wajidpur echoed similar concerns. His daughter Shabika Mehndi has studied MBBS at a Tehran medical college for three years. "She keeps reassuring us that things are under control, but when calls don't go through, panic sets in," Hasan admitted.
Hopes Rest on Diplomatic Channels
Despite the communication challenges, families continue to place hope in the governments of India and Iran. They trust authorities will ensure the safety of Indian citizens abroad. The community waits anxiously for restored communication and clear updates from their loved ones.
