In a tragic yet fateful turn of events, Abdul Gani Shirahatti, an Indian expatriate who had lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for nearly two decades, was among the 45 pilgrims who lost their lives in a devastating bus crash in Saudi Arabia. The accident occurred on Monday during a journey from Makkah to Madinah, where the bus collided with a tanker. Gani, a dedicated hotel driver for 18 years, had embarked on a short Umrah pilgrimage, a journey he had undertaken alone after his wife’s passport delay prevented her from accompanying him. His son and elder brother, Farook, traveled to Madinah to provide DNA samples to identify Gani’s remains, a process that has left the family in profound grief. Gani’s wife, who narrowly escaped the tragedy due to the passport delay, is now grappling with the loss of her husband. The family, supported by friends and authorities, awaits the completion of formal identification procedures. Gani, described as a hardworking and devoted family man, had planned to return to India for a long-awaited reunion with his loved ones after completing his pilgrimage and work responsibilities. Instead, his family now mourns his untimely death, remembering his unwavering commitment to providing for his wife, three daughters, and son.