Devotees offering prayers at Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
With Ramzan comes a heightened sense of spirituality. And with only a little over 10 days remaining, the Muslim community of Hyderabad is rolling out the prayer carpet to welcome the month.
“We see that Ramzan comes and goes, but a lot of people find themselves lacking in achieving the desired levels of spirituality,” says Maulana Ahsan bin Muhammad al Humumi, the Khaateeb of the Shahi Masjid, also known as Royal Mosque, in Public Gardens. “This is why, beginning this Tuesday, we are starting on a Ramzan preparation schedule for both men and women. We will discuss taraweeh (special night prayers), fasting, and the definition and calculation of zakat that is to be given to the poor. The idea is to do good and engage oneself in worship,” he added.
As is the case with larger and smaller masjids, the Shahi Masjid too witnesses a spike in footfall in Ramzan. According to Maulana Humumi, between 6,000 and 7,000 men and women arrive at the masjid for taraweeh each night. Arranging for prayer carpets for worshippers to pray on, and ensuring they have unhindered passage to the masjid, are under way.
The historic Mecca Masjid, with its large, arched prayer hall and sprawling courtyard too is gearing up to welcome worshippers. According to Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui, who serves as the Superintendent of the Masjid, a delegation of public representatives and government officials are scheduled to arrive on February 17 to inspect the masjid, monitor work already set in motion and to recommend additional measures.
“In the first more (10) days of Ramzan, we see namazine reaching the gates, which is a huge number,” Mr Siddiqui says. “The numbers, of course, are many times more than any regular day. Then there are specific days like Jumatul Vida, the last Friday of the holy month, which too sees a massive congregation. A meeting will see the MP, MLAs and government officials discussing what has been done and whatever arrangements are needed.”
Mufti Mahmood Zubair, General Secretary, Jamiat Ulama Andhra Pradesh Telangana (Arshad Madani Group), points out that the community tends to support those in need this month. As a result, mobilisation and collection of funds for ration kits to be distributed in Ramzan, has begun. Moreover, Darul Uloom Rahmania, a madrassa he is associated with makes arrangements for the stay of those workers from madrassas visiting the city from other districts of the State.
“In general we see masjids finishing last-minute civil work. We also see that imams and muezzins are given a bonus, usually twice their salary, in Ramzan. Moreover, arrangements are made for taraweeh and etekaaf, a religious practice which involves men living, in the masjid in the last 10 days of Ramzan, engrossed in prayer,” Mr. Mufti Zubair says.
Published – February 16, 2025 08:18 pm IST
