The Telangana State Haj committee conducts Haj Camp every year for smooth and safe departure of the Haj pilgrims belonging to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and the Karnataka States. It was the third Haj Camp after formation of the Telangana State, which was very successful. Hyderabad Haj Camp holds the pride of place in the country and is awarded No. 1 position since several years.
This year the Haj Camp commenced from 19 th August and the first flight left for Jeddah on August 21, 2016. All the pilgrims have to report 48 hours before the departure time of their flight. The Camp concluded on 28 th August with 15 Haj Chartered Flights of Air India carrying a total of 4900 pilgrims form the three states, (2620 from Telangana, 1648 from Andhra Pradesh and 632 from Karnataka) from Hyderabad Embarkation Point. All Haj Flights departed and reached the destination on time. All the pilgrims are safe in Makkah and busy in offering prayers.
Chandrasekhar Rao, Chief Minister was kind enough to patronize and encourage us to carry on the activities of Haj Affairs in a smooth manner. Sri Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Deputy Chief Minister not only extended full cooperation but also had a watchful eye on the arrangements of the Haj Camp. Syed Omer Jaleel, Secretary to Government, Minorities Welfare Department actively participated in the conduct of the Haj Camp. He visited the Camp every day and provided guidance in the day to day affairs of the Haj Camp. The Special Officer of the State Haj Committee Prof. S. A. Shukoor camped in the Haj Camp to supervise arrangements for safe and smooth departure of the Haj pilgrims. He visited the Haj Terminal for every flight to ensure that there was no problem to the pilgrims.
After selection of the Haj pilgrims the State Haj Committee conducts Orientation Training Camps in Twin Cities and the districts. Vaccination to the pilgrims is administered to every pilgrim. Prior to the commencement of the Haj Camp, a crucial All Departments Meeting was held on 4 th August, in which all the departments and organisations concerned participated and assured their active cooperation. In this meeting the Action Plan for the smooth conduct of the Haj Camp was finalized.
To provide guidance and assistance to the Haj pilgrims a Khadim ul Hujjaj (Haj Welfare Officer) is sent with every 200 pilgrims. This year altogether 22 Khadim ul Hujjaj (14 from TS, 5 from AP and 3 from Karnataka) were sent to Saudi Arabia in the Haj flights.
With the cooperation of all the departments, organisations and volunteers the Haj Camp concluded in a successful manner. The State Government and the Telangana State Haj Committee express their gratitude to all the organisations and individuals concerned for their active cooperation including, Police, Traffic Police, Immigration, Customs, Medical and Health Department, IPM, , Princess Esra Hospital, GHMC, HMWS&;SB, TS TRANSCO, TS RTC, CISF, BACS, GMR. Air India, TS Waqf Board, and last but not the least the Media. (NSS)