It is a journey of a lifetime. And for most, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their passion and zeal is seen to be believed. With the first flight taking the pilgrims on the consecrated journey today, the Haj House here presents a picture of spiritual high. There is no trace of Telangana-Seemandhra divide among the Haj pilgrims, instead what one sees is a rare bonhomie between pilgrims of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
“We are all looking forward to the sacred mission ahead. There is no room for hard feelings,” says an elderly Haji echoing the sentiments of others.
The seven storied Haj House is home to several minority related departments. But right now one sees only pilgrims all over. Donning ‘Ihram’, the two white pieces of unstitched clothes and raising the pilgrim chant Labbaik Allahumma labbai . ..’, they cast a mesmerising spell.
Some seem to be a worried lot with so many formalities to be gone through while some look cool and try to catch up with the many rituals of Haj. In the next seven days up to September 8, more than 6000 pilgrims will fly through 16 chartered flights from Hyderabad to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The Haj Committee is saddled with the arduous task of managing the sheer number of pilgrims from three states, providing food and taking care of the logistics involved. “It’s a tough job sure. But we are used to managing the show year after year,” says Prof. S.A. Shukoor, Special Officer, Telangana State Haj Committee.
Step into the Haj House and you will be in for a surprise. What you see here is a ‘mini airport’ of sorts. Customs, Immigration, Check-in-Luggage, issue of boarding passes, air tickets and foreign exchange are all being carried out here for the convenience of the pilgrims. Air India, which is carrying the pilgrims this year, has made all the arrangements. “Once pilgrims come here they are as good as in the airport,” remarks an official referring to the security sanitised environs.
Of course a good number of volunteers and scholars are on hand to guide the pilgrims and prepare them for the strenuous journey spreading to 40 days and more. They are told about the etiquette to be adopted while visiting Makkah and Madina, the holiest of Islamic sanctuaries. Pilgrims are told to pack a bag of patience as Haj is a test. There can be moments of great awe and frustration.
