Hyderabad, April 19: A joint coordination meeting between officials of the Haj Committees of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was held on Saturday at the Conference Hall of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat to review the elaborate arrangements being made for the Haj-2025 pilgrimage.
The meeting, conducted at the request of the Andhra Pradesh Government, was presided over by Advisor to Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir, and was attended by Andhra Pradesh Minister for Law, Justice and Minorities Welfare N. Md. Farooq, who led the visiting delegation from AP.
In his opening remarks, Shabbir Ali said Telangana would host all pilgrims departing through the Hyderabad Embarkation Point, including those from Andhra Pradesh, with utmost care and dignity. He informed that Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had given clear instructions to ensure that every pilgrim is treated with respect and no complaints should be received regarding services or facilities. “The Telangana Haj Committee is fully prepared to make Haj-2025 a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims,” he said.
Minister Md Farooq thanked the Telangana Government for its hospitality and assured full cooperation from the Andhra Pradesh administration. He said that around 1,200 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh will embark on Haj from Hyderabad this year, and the government would coordinate closely with the Telangana Haj Committee to ensure that all requirements of the AP pilgrims are fully addressed. “We are grateful for the support being extended to our pilgrims and look forward to working together in the spirit of unity and service,” he said.
As per the briefing, a total of 12,000 pilgrims from 17 states are expected to depart for Haj. From the Hyderabad Embarkation Point, a total of 31 flights are scheduled to take off from April 29 onwards. Of these, 7 flights will head to Madina while 24 will land in Jeddah. Telangana Haj Committee will handle all ground arrangements, including boarding, lodging, transportation, luggage handling, food, medical assistance and other services at the Haj House in Hyderabad.
Commissioner of Minority Welfare (Telangana) Yasmin Basha welcomed the delegates and made a detailed presentation on the arrangements being planned by the Telangana Haj Committee. She outlined the improvements being made in coordination, accommodation, and transportation to streamline the process for pilgrims from both states.
Secretary to Government (Minority Welfare Department, AP) Ch. Sridhar assured full assistance and active participation from Andhra Pradesh officials in supporting their pilgrims. He said a dedicated team from AP would remain in close coordination with Telangana authorities throughout the departure phase.
The meeting was attended by Telangana Haj Committee Chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani, Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee Chairman SK Hassan Basha, Executive Officer of AP Haj Committee S. Md. Ghouse Peer, Executive Officer of Telangana Haj Committee Sajjad Ali, Telangana Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussaini, TMREIS President Faheem Qureshi and State Grandhalaya Samstha Chairman Md Riyaz, among others.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of joint commitment from both states to ensure that Haj-2025 is conducted with efficiency, dignity and seamless coordination, reflecting the shared responsibility to serve the pilgrims in the best possible manner. (eom)