• 426 Haj pilgrims from Nizamabad attend training camp at Bodhan Road

Hyderabad, December 30: “Congress government will provide fool-proof and elaborate arrangements for all Haj pilgrims – from Telangana and at the holy sites in Mecca and Madinah,” assured senior Congress leader and government advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir, while addressing a special Haj training camp held in Nizamabad on Tuesday for those selected for Haj 2026.

The camp was organised by the Nizamabad District Haj Society at Nizam Palace Function Hall on Bodhan Road. A total of 426 pilgrims from the united Nizamabad district – 382 from Nizamabad and 84 from Kamareddy – attended the session, which ran from morning until 2 PM.

Religious scholars provided detailed instruction on key Islamic rituals, essential dos and don’ts, safety measures, travel procedures, and accommodation arrangements. The session also addressed common issues faced by pilgrims and explained how to resolve them.

Special facilities were arranged for women pilgrims, including dedicated seating and separate guidance. Pilgrims were encouraged to ask questions directly to religious scholars and organisers, making the training interactive and informative.

Shabbir Ali, who inaugurated the camp as chief guest, said the Congress government is committed to supporting Haj pilgrims at every stage. “Every pilgrim from Telangana will be fully supported, from departure to return. We are also arranging special services for Telangana pilgrims in Mecca and Madinah,” he said.

Sharing a personal moment from his own Haj experience, he added, “The moment you see the Holy Kaaba, you start praying. I was blessed with the opportunity to perform sajda on all four sides inside the Kaaba – an experience that stays with you forever.” He urged pilgrims to spend maximum time in Haram Shareef, eat and drink less, and avoid distractions, especially mobile phones.

 

He further noted that Hyderabad will serve as the embarkation point for pilgrims from 17 states this year. Out of Telangana’s quota of 11,757 pilgrims, 8,286 applications have already been cleared. The remaining slots are expected to be filled soon. He also highlighted that the Telangana Haj Committee has been consistently recognised with national awards for providing the best services in the country.

Telangana State Haj Committee Chairman Syed Gulam Afzal Biabani also addressed the gathering and extended his best wishes to the pilgrims. District officials, Haj Committee members, local leaders, and a large number of pilgrims participated, making the event a success.

Pilgrims expressed gratitude to the organisers and said the session helped them feel spiritually prepared and practically informed for the sacred journey.

Shabbir Ali launches skill training for women, lays foundation for ₹6.5 crore water supply project in Nizamabad

Shabbir Ali also launched a series of development and welfare initiatives in Nizamabad town, focusing on women’s empowerment, infrastructure, and minority welfare. He inaugurated a free skill training programme for unemployed educated women, laid the foundation for multiple water storage tanks worth ₹6.5 crore, and opened a newly constructed Eidgah at Old Eidgah–Bodhan Road.

At the inauguration of a free quarterly promotion skills training programme run by the Institute of Bait-ul-Maal, Shabbir Ali said the Telangana Congress government is committed to women’s empowerment through skill development. The centre aims to equip educated unemployed women and students with employable skills through courses such as computer training, tailoring, mehendi design, and advanced beautician certification.

He stated that skill training is essential for women’s economic self-reliance and added that the government is consistently supporting such initiatives. He announced that the government had sanctioned ₹10 lakh for road development to the centre and ₹25 lakh for the construction of the first floor of its training facility. Additionally, he personally contributed ₹2 lakh from his own funds to support the centre’s development.

“The 4% reservation for minorities enabled hundreds of children to become doctors and engineers. Now, we want women to be financially independent through skill-based learning,” he said.

Later, Shabbir Ali laid the foundation stone for a ₹6.5 crore drinking water infrastructure project aimed at permanently resolving water scarcity in the growing town. The ceremony took place at Auto Nagar and was followed by a public meeting at KK Garden Function Hall.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Providing clean drinking water to every home is our government’s priority. Water is a basic right. With this project, we aim to ensure no household suffers water shortage, even in summer.”

The water project includes the construction of three major storage tanks:

• A ₹2.5 crore, 16-lakh-litre capacity tank at Auto Nagar, to benefit Auto Nagar and surrounding colonies;
• A ₹1.5 crore, 9-lakh-litre tank at Sylani Nagar, to resolve long-standing water issues in that area;
• Another ₹1.5 crore, 9-lakh-litre tank near Madina Eidgah, aimed at providing uninterrupted supply to nearby localities.

Shabbir Ali emphasised that Nizamabad’s rapid urban growth demands long-term infrastructure planning. “The Congress government is investing in roads, drainage, drinking water, and electricity without compromise. Development is our responsibility,” he said.

In a separate event, he inaugurated the newly built Eidgah at Old Eidgah–Bodhan Road, constructed at a cost of ₹10 lakh. The Eidgah has been developed with adequate space and facilities to accommodate thousands of worshippers during festivals like Ramzan and Bakrid.

Speaking after offering special prayers, Shabbir Ali said, “The Eidgah is not just a place of worship, but a symbol of unity and social harmony. This government is committed to improving facilities in minority areas and preserving their cultural and religious heritage.”

Local public representatives, Bait-ul-Maal officials, Congress leaders, ward members, and a large number of residents participated in the events. Community leaders thanked the government for its continued support and expressed hope that such development would bring lasting change to the lives of women, youth, and minorities in Nizamabad. (eom)