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Bhopal: The long cherished dreams of
Muslims of having a Hajj House at Bhopal was fulfilled when its
foundation stone laying ceremony was performed here at Singarcholi
near the city’s airport with much religious fervour. Muslims from
all over the state in large numbers converged to witness the
ceremony.
Maulana Peer Saeed Miyan Mujaddidi, Rector of Bhopal-based Islamic
seminary Darul-Uloom at Taj-ul-Masajid, unveiled the curtain of
the plaque and offered “Dua” in the presence of rightist Bharatiya
Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan to mark the occasion.
Minorities Minister Ajay Vishnoi, BJP state president Govind Singh Tomar, state Hajj
Committee chairman Dr. Sanawwar Patel, Bhopal Shahar Qazi Maulana
Syed Mushtaque Ali Nadvi including Qazis from towns all over the
state graced the opening ceremony.
On the occasion, people with excellent service to community were
conferred state-level awards. Mrs. Firoza Khan received Shaheed
Ashfaqullah Khan Award, Azizuddin got Abdul Hameed Khan Memorial
Award while Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial Award was conferred
on Shaikh Riyazuddin Patel. Chouhan presented shawl, memento and a
cheque of Rs.1 lakh to each one of the awardees.
A cheque worth Rs.1 lakh was presented to Messrs Mehboob &
Associates, whose design of the proposed Hajj House was adjudged
the best. Er. Mahboob-ul-Hasan received the cheque.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Chouhan directed to
complete construction of Hajj House at the earliest.
He said that
work for another Hajj House would start soon at Indore also.
He
assured that Hajj flights will be operated from both Bhopal and Indore airports to dispel the apprehension from the minds of the
people of Indore that they may be left out in matters of Hajj
embarkation point.
Chouhan said that the Madhya Pradesh Government is committed to
strengthening minorities and ensuring their progress through
education, skill development and maximum job opportunities.
MP CM reaches Muslims
The hallmark of Chouhan’s speech was that he highlighted and
referred to Islamic principles and beliefs which touched the
hearts of the assemblage which mostly comprised of Muslims. He
stated that interest is forbidden and there is ban on consumption
of liquor in Islam and then correlated some of his policy
decisions to these Islamic provisions.
He pointed out that his
government has decided to extend interest-free loan to farmers and
not to allow new liquor shops and factories to be opened in the
state.
He gave the credit of Hajj House to come up in Bhopal to
Almighty’s decision and he himself was just a tool and via media
to implement it.
“Zameen Par Aik Patta Bhi Nahin Hilta Ooperwale
Ke Ishare Ke Beghair. Main To Aik Sevak HooN Jisse Ooperwala Kaam
Leraha Hai. Aaj chief minister Hoon Kal Chala Jaaonga”, he
remarked.
Greeting Qazis and guests from all over the state, Chouhan said
that brotherhood, equality and mutual affection are the
foundations of life. Religion teaches to live for and serve
humanity. He said that service to poor is the noblest deed. For
this, steps like supply of wheat at the rate of Re. 1 and rice at
Rs.2 per kg and electricity supply to the poor and interest-free
loans to farmers have been initiated.
Minorities Welfare Minister Ajay Vishnoi said that even the Union
Government has lauded Madhya Pradesh government for implementation
of programmes for minorities’ development.
Efforts like training to Hajj
pilgrims, scholarships to students, imparting vocational training
and extending financial help for higher education have proved
effective.
They have strengthened minority
community. The government has also taken initiative to honour
people working in the interest of the community.
Meanwhile, Arif Masood, a prominent Congress leader of the city,
after the Hajj House foundation stone laying ceremony in another
function felicitated Chief Minister Chouhan for his government’s
gesture towards Muslims.
He honoured Chouhan by putting a pink
“Pagri” (traditional head-gear) on his head and offered sweets in
his mouth.
It may be recalled here that Arif Masood and his band of followers
had been agitating for Hajj House in Bhopal for last many years
and even gave call to court arrest for the cause.
Ex-Union Minister Arif Beg, local MLAs Vishwas Sarang, Jitendra
Daga and Dhurvnarayan Singh, office-bearers of Minorities Welfare
Commission, Madarsa Board and Hajj Committee, Qazis and Maulvis
from various cities and large number of minority community people
were present on the occasion.
Madhya Pradesh Hajj Committee chairman Dr. Sanawwar Patel proposed
vote of thanks and Badar Wasti compered the programme with aplomb.
Meanwhile, it may be stated here that the Madhya Pradesh
Government has sanctioned Rs. 6 crore 11 lakh 25,000 for
construction of the Hajj House.
Of this, Rs.1 crore has been paid
as grant to State Hajj Committee.
For Bhopal Hajj House, 2.01 acre land has been allotted at village
Singarcholi. The Hajj House will be constructed in 45,000 square
feet area.
It will have four storeys. It will
house about 1500 pilgrims and will have facilities of training
etc. Office of the State Hajj Committee will also be set up on its
premises. The construction under the supervision of Capital
Project will be completed by the end of year 2014.
(pervezbari@eth.net)
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