By Mohammed Saud
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
MINA — Every pilgrim has a different story to tell about his life and experiences. Miyawarkal Khwaja, an Afghan, says his 35 years experience in Kuwait helped him learn Arabic language and he uses that knowledge to guide stranded pilgrims.
He brought together pilgrims from his country in front of their tent in Mina and explained to them the customs and traditions of Arabs in GCC countries. “I feel tremendous happiness while helping stranded pilgrims to reach their tents and other destinations,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
Khwaja sits in front of the tent of Afghan pilgrims to provide translation services to those who want to speak to Saudis and other Arabs. He speaks Arabic with a Kuwaiti accent and uses words such as “Zain and Shunu” profusely influenced by his long stay in the Gulf country.
Khwaja has a lot of stories and incidents to tell about his life in Kuwait including some unpleasant realities he faced during his life in search of a living for his family. “I will never forget the day when the Iraqi forces entered Kuwait and arrested me for several hours,” he said.
This is Khwaja’s second Haj. He performed his first Haj several years ago. “I have spent about 38 years in Kuwait. I went there first in 1978. I have experienced the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait with all its details. An Iraqi security team stopped my car and asked me to get down. The Iraqi soldiers attacked me with their guns,” he pointed out.
Khwaja later followed a desert route to reach Kuwait. “I handed over my car to those who work along the Saudi border. I went to Riyadh and stayed at a school in Badeea for 15 days before catching a flight to Pakistan and then to Afghanistan,” he said.
Khwaja returned to Kuwait after the end of Iraqi occupation. “I am still working in Kuwait in the junkyard of cars,” he said.
Khwaja stopped his talk when his mobile phone ringed. He asked permission to leave the place in order to help a stranded pilgrim.
