Nizam Auqaf wants new properties at Mecca

Hyderabad: The Nizam Auqaf Committee has asked the Saudi Arabia government to give new properties as a replacement for the Rubath properties which were acquired by the Saudi government during expansion works it had carried out in Mecca and Madina.

The fifth Nizam, Afzalud Dawlah Bahadur had bought the properties in Mecca and Madina to provide accommodation for the pilgrims from the Hyderabad State. The practice still continues with the Nizam Auqaf Committee accepting online applications and through a draw selecting the beneficiaries.

Many buildings, however, were razed during the last two decades due to the expansion of the Masjid Al Haram or the Grand Mosque in Mecca. At least three properties were acquired during the developmental works in the holy city of Madina.

“There is a policy in Saudi Arabia to compensate any property acquired for developmental works with another property valued to the same extent as the one taken over. So we are asking for properties and not compensation so as to benefit a large number of pilgrims from the erstwhile Hyderabad State,” said Mr M.A. Faiz Khan, Trustee, Auqaf Committee HEH the Nizam.

He said that Prince Mukaramjah Bahadur, grandson of Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, who is now staying in Turkey, had also expressed his intention of seeking property to benefit more pilgrims during their visit to Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrimage or the Umra pilgrimage. 

Around 5,000 odd pilgrims from the erstwhile Hyderabad State are now spread over Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra and go for the Haj pilgrimage.

“Our plan is to accommodate almost all the pilgrims from the erstwhile Hyderabad State in the Nizam Rubath. We are going to hold talks soon and will identify the buildings,” said Mr Faiz Khan. There are also reports of the Rubath facility being extended to pilgrims going for the Umra. “We have no official communication regarding it. But are following it up with the Saudi government and hope to get a positive reply,” said Mr Faiz Khan.

In Haj 2017, a total of 1,153 pilgrims (568 pilgrims from Telangana, 450 from Maharashtra and 117 from Karnataka) were provided accommodation at Rubath. They were provided food too which was free of cost.

Return gift

• The Auqaf Committee Nizam will select buildings which are close to the Grand Mosque.
• At Madina city one big building will be sought as compensation for acquiring three Rubath buildings.
• A total of 1,153 pilgrims were accommodated in the Rubath buildings in Mecca during Haj 2017.
• Accommodation is provided free of cost for pilgrims from Telangana and some districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra which were part of the erstwhile Hyderabad State.