Last batch of Haj pilgrims leaves today

By J.S.Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, FEB. 25. The gusto, the fervour, the ethereal charm - the old city is wearing a hallowed aura for the last two weeks. The Haj camp at Miralam Idgah, which concludes on Monday, has lent a touch of divinity, galvanising the otherwise slow-paced life.

The last batch of 300 pilgrims will emplane to Jeddah on Monday night, ringing down the curtain on the 13-day long Haj camp. Till Sunday 3,639 pilgrims, including 16 infants, undertook the consecrated journey.

The old city is known for its domes, towers, lattices and havelis. Now the Haj camp has changed it all, becoming the most popular destination during the past few days. The shimmering waters of the Miralam lake behind the Idgha provides a perfect backdrop. The camp, organised for the first time by the State Haj Committee, has become a big hit with both the pilgrims and the general masses, drawing people from far and wide.

The Miralam Idgah, one of the biggest in South India, used to come alive only twice in the year when prayers are held for the Ramzan and Bakrid festivals. Now hundreds of persons are making a beeline to the Haj camp here just to have a glimpse of the atmosphere. Even those, who have no friends or relatives among the pilgrims, are also dropping in to witness the goings on. The whole place has acquired a mela-like aura with hotels and shops selling books on Haj doing a roaring business.

A special exhibition of relics and pictures of Mecca and Madina, the two holy places the pilgrims visit, is attracting huge crowds. This has become an added attraction for the visitors.

The scene around the Haj camp takes on a charm as dusk sets in. Over the din and buzzle of the impending "wida", the pilgrims' chant of "Labbaik Allahumma labbaik ..." can be heard. The visitors also take the cue and recite the chant. As the pilgrims board the buses after the evening prayers, the atmosphere gets emotional. The relatives throng the cardoned off immigration area of Air India for a last glimpse. Outside, people line up on either side of the road to bid "Khuda Hafiz" to the Hajis as their cavalcade of buses rolls on. A tender tear, a last salam and a final wave of hand and the Hajis are out of sight.

Meanwhile, Mr. N. Mohd. Farooq, Minister for Wakf and president, State Haj Committee, and his deputy, Mr. Syed Yousuf Ali, are the happiest men. The arrangements made at the Haj camp have evoked positive response for the State Government, particularly the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu. A survey conducted by the Siasat showed that the people were highly impressed by the arrangements. The Central Haj Committee members who visited the camp also admitted that the arrangements at Hyderabad are far better than those at Bangalore and Mumbai.

"Next year we will try to further improve on the facilities", said Mr. Farooq, who was felicitated yesterday.

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