It reiterated that pilgrims require a Haj visa and it can be obtained through recognised official channels
Malik started walking on December 2 to mark the National Day. He was received at the Pakistani Embassy by Ambassador to the UAE Moazzam Ahmad Khan.
Moments after finishing his fourth walk across the UAE, he announced his next mission, a walk from Dubai to London.
"Only once I will have to take flight. Once in Paris, I will take Channel Tunnel and reach London. The peace walks I have done so far have helped me get an idea as to how much I can push myself. Dubai-London distance is close to 8,000km. I am planning the 'Walk to London' as an eight-month exercise," he told Khaleej Times.
During his 14-day walk, he used to eat and sleep on the roadside. "I met the whole world during my walk across the UAE. I am promoting the message of peace but also learning things from nature," said the man who works in Dubai.
He had police escort throughout the journey as he carried the UAE flag and a bag of bare essentials.
"People love and appreciate my aim to spread the message of peace. They hug me and offer food. I have won several awards too."
"I started from Hatta to Kalba, from there to Fujairah, Dibba, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, Al Ain and finally here in Abu Dhabi," he said wearing shoes with front portion torn away. "I have swollen leg and blisters. So, I ripped the front portion."
So why walk every year and what's the big idea?
"I like the peaceful environment in the UAE and hope similar atmosphere is there in Pakistan too."
The Pakistan Ambassador was mighty impressed by fellow countryman's initiative.
"This is a reflection of the love of Pakistanis living here for the UAE," Moazzam Ahmad Khan told Khaleej Times.
"We have close relationship with the UAE and Idress Malik is a glowing symbol of this relationship."
He hailed the peace walk initiative and urged people to come out in numbers and support Malik in future. Khan has assured all help to Malik for his walk to London.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
It reiterated that pilgrims require a Haj visa and it can be obtained through recognised official channels
The 18-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious condition
The brothers, who say they are innocent, are accused of having formed an organised criminal network in early 2021 in Romania, as well as in the US and Britain
The left-handed batter scored 3369 runs in 136 one-day internationals and 2893 in 140 Twenty20 internationals — both Pakistan records
Food supplies were distributed to 80 households
On January 31, a heart was airlifted from Delhi to Chennai, paving the way for Ayesha Rashid's life-saving surgery
The online retailer, which is headquartered in Singapore, has said it has around 108 million monthly active users in the 27-nation EU
The baby girl named Rouh, meaning Soul, suffered respiratory problems and a weak immune system, a doctor at the Emirati Hospital in Rafah said