Beig is survived by two sons. Ali Abbas is an MBA, and works in an FM radio channel, while Mehdi Abbas is an opthalmologist, also working in the Ghatkesar polyclinic. This trip was also the first for 65 year old Jaffer Mashadi. He retired as a manager for the Central Co-operative Bank in Nagaram village. His son-in-law Shaad Aqsari describes him as “a gentle person, who never wished anyone ill.” “It’s very sad, Muslims being killed by Muslims,'” says Aqsari.

In the largely Shia Noorkhan Bazaar area, feelings are running high. “This is an attack against Shia Muslims,” says Hassan Abbas Hashim Abidi, one of Ali's neighbours.

Ali left for Syria by flight on August 23. After doing the local pilgrimage there, the group then went to Jordan by road. “There is no need for a visa from there,” says neighbour and childhood friend Tirasat Ali Baqri. He himself has done the pilgrimage many times. “We cannot officially get a visa, as Indians are not permitted to go. So we get papers from Jordan, and then make the day trip there.”

The trip from Syria to Karbala takes over 24 hours. Sadly, they could not complete it.