Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, Telangana State Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini and others greeting haj pilgrims at flag off the buses carrying them, at Haj House in Nampally in Hyderabad on Friday (May 16, 2025).
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday (May 16) expressed gratitude to Haj pilgrims leaving from the State, “for going to the House of God to pray for the country”, even as he announced a “rubaat” in Mamidipally, from where they would leave for the pilgrimage in the future.
Mr. Reddy was speaking at the Haj House where he flagged off a batch of pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia. He assured that budgetary constraints were not an issue for the ‘rubaat’. The facility would be constructed around 5 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, he said.
He reiterated that 6,000 pilgrims from Telangana were undertaking the pilgrimage this year. “Allah has chosen you for this sacred journey,” he said, noting that pilgrims from 17 States were travelling from Hyderabad.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to inclusive development, Mr. Reddy emphasised plans for the comprehensive development of the Old City, which he referred to as the “Original City.” He underscored the Telangana government’s commitment to infrastructure improvement in that area for projects such as metro rail, flyovers, and road.
“This government was made with your support. Whatever is required for you, we will not back down,” he said. Mr Reddy also encouraged Muslims and other minority communities to apply for government housing and financial assistance schemes, acknowledging the socio-economic challenges many Muslims continue to face.
Addressing the vacant, cold shell Waqf Garden View Mall, constructed over 13 years ago, Mr. Reddy directed officials to prepare estimates for strengthening the structure. He also asked them to study the feasibility of putting the property to good use.
Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi, who also addressed the gathering, urged pilgrims to be kind to their parents, especially mothers. Highlighting the spiritual and emotional aspects of haj.
He also commented on the tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. “It seems the neighbouring country will not straighten its tail. Please pray that it does. If not, we will have to do something about them,” he said.
Telangana Haj Committee Chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani noted that all logistical and hospitality arrangements for pilgrims were made well in advance. He thanked the CM for responding to representations made by the committee.
Among the improvements, he said, was a reduction in the pilgrim-to-inspector ratio from 300:1 to 150:1. He added that, unlike in the past, Haj inspectors, who were previously known as khadim-ul-hujjaj, would remain with their respective groups for the entire duration of the pilgrimage.
Advisor to the Telangana Government for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Ali Shabbir, spoke about the State’s caste survey, the issue of Muslim reservations, and the need for increased financial allocations for minority development.
Published – May 16, 2025 10:18 PM is
