Social and Religious Boycott of Dinesh Falhari Following Comments on Premananda Maharaj in Vrindavan

Despite disruptions at some Saudi Arabian airports caused by recent Houthi attacks, residents of the United Arab Emirates still have the option to perform the Umrah pilgrimage using both air and land transport.

Tour operators reported that their groups are continuing according to plan, with Jeddah and Medina serving as the main entry points for pilgrims. Although there has been a recent slowdown in new inquiries and bookings, residents wishing to travel continue to purchase flight and bus packages.

For those flying, the main airlines used for Umrah packages from the UAE are Saudia and flydubai. Pilgrims can arrive in Jeddah and then proceed to Mecca, or start their journey in Medina and travel to Mecca from there.

Jassim from Al Shammar Haj and Umrah Service noted that current disruptions have not stopped scheduled groups or new bookings. He emphasized that Umrah flights are running on schedule, and passengers are moving through Jeddah and Medina, primarily using Saudia and flydubai flights.

Air Umrah packages start from approximately 2700 dirhams and are usually designed for four- or five-day trips. These packages include a visa, flights, accommodation, meals, Ziyarat, and local transportation.

Jassim added that after landing, passengers can travel between Medina and Mecca by bus or train, depending on their preference and the conditions set in the package. He also stated that residents do not need to organize the trip, visa, or local transportation independently after purchasing the tour from the operator.

For residents seeking a more budget-friendly option, tour operators also offer land Umrah packages. Shihab Farwad from Rehan Al Jazeera Tours and Travels stated that the company is preparing a bus group for next week. The bus will depart from Sharjah to Mecca, then to Medina, and return to the UAE.

Farwad specified that the planned bus trips are running on schedule. The bus will start its journey from Sharjah, pick up passengers in Abu Dhabi, and then head to Saudi Arabia via the Al Guwaifat–Al Batha border crossing. The one-way journey takes about 36 hours.

A typical bus tour lasts about 10 days in total, including round trip, with a stay of about four days in Medina and three days in Mecca. Farwad noted that the border crossing procedure usually does not take much time, and the full package covers all necessary expenses.

Bus packages start from 1100 dirhams, depending on the chosen hotel level. This amount includes the visa, meals, accommodation, Ziyarat, transport, border fees, and Nusuk processing. Farwad also compared current prices with October rates last year, when land tours cost around 1300–1400 dirhams. He warned that prices may increase to 1700–2000 dirhams during the winter period, depending on demand and accommodation.

Ultimately, the choice for residents comes down to balancing time and budget: air packages allow the trip to be completed in about four days, while the land option requires more time but costs less than half the price of the air package.

Following reports of an alleged shooting plot at an Indian temple in America, New York Mayor Hochul Mamdani called for unity against hate. Mamdani participated in the celebration of Navaratri, Durga Puja, and Vijayadashami with members of the Indian community in Queens, New York. During these events, he participated in Garba, attended Aarti, and offered prayers to the goddess Durga. He stressed that caring for one another and opposing hate is a shared responsibility of society.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Mamdani stated that he had the opportunity to celebrate these festivals with New York Indians. He noted that it was an honor to participate in the joy, faith, and community cohesion at the city's temples.

He said: 'We danced Garba, performed Aarti, played Sindur Khela, and worshipped Goddess Durga. It was an honor to gather with joy, faith, and community in our city's temples. Especially after the attempted mass shooting at an Indian temple in Illinois last week.'

The mayor mentioned the attempted attack on an Indian temple in Illinois last week. In his message, Mamdani called on everyone to unite to fulfill their shared responsibility to combat hate and care for one another.

Videos appearing on social media showed Mamdani dancing Garba with people of Indian descent, as well as participating in religious rituals at temples.

Mamdani's statement followed the case of an alleged mass shooting conspiracy at an Indian religious site in Aurora, Illinois. Nineteen-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, who is from Palestine, was arrested in this case. He faces charges of racist remarks and illegal possession of weapons.

According to authorities, during the alleged attempt to attack the temple on October 11, the suspect's automatic weapon jammed. He then allegedly returned home. However, the final determination of all facts and charges related to the incident will be made during the judicial process. The Indo-American member of parliament representing Illinois, Raja Krishnamurthy, also expressed concern over this incident.