New Delhi, April 11 -- Zimam Riyaz was brimming with hope as he prepared to embark on his long-awaited Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia on April 10. He had packed his bags and was waiting for a final call from the travel agent. But fate had other plans for Zimam - a resident of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

The 22-year-old was stopped short of his spiritual journey at the very last moment. Zimam is one of the hundreds of intended Umrah pilgrims who have now been informed that they cannot proceed to Saudi Arabia since their visas have not been approved due to restrictions.

"He had even packed his tooth brush and was looking forward to his journey," said Zimam's mother. The family of four lives in Habba Kadal, an old city neighbourhood of ...