Indians visit Bhai Rochi Ram shrine

          Khairpur (Sindh): A Hindu delegation has paid a visit to Bhai Rochi Ram's main shrine at Shahpur near Pir Jo Goth in Kingri taluka. Members of the delegation later said that they had been very anxious to pay a visit to the land of Sufis. They said that they would take clay from the heart of the Indus and the water flowing in the mainstream of the river and distribute it among the people living in India and sprinkle its water on trees and soil there in order to spread its fragrance, reported the Dawn. The delegation was led by Rupa Ram, the head of Bhai Rochi Ram Hindu shrine's Takya in Almas Nagar, India. Sufi singers, Bhagat Kanwar Ram and Master Chandar were also devotees of Bhai Rochi Ram, said the paper.
- Dec 30, 2006

Haj goodwill delegation leaves for S Arabia

          New Delhi: A 25-member goodwill delegation left for the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca on Monday. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed is leading the delegation. Prior to its departure, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee greeted them and said they were the 'unofficial ambassadors' of India, representing the country's composite culture, peace and unity. "Please accept my warmest greetings on the occasion on going to perform Haj 2006. You are ambassadors of India's composite culture...messenger of peace, harmony," Singh told the Haj delegation while interacting with them at his residence here. Before embarking on the journey at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Ahmed told reporters: "The Prime Minister has advised the members of the delegation that they should always bear in mind that you are the unofficial ambassadors of this country. And their interaction with international Islamic community during the Haj period would definitely, the Prime Minister hoped, bring good reputation in view of the fact India is having the best of relations with Islamic countries and Arab world". The delegation, comprising of prominent members of the Muslim community, would visit holy cities Mecca and Madina during their three-week stay. "We are really feeling good to be a part of this delegation. I think India is presenting to the world a great example of being unique and secular," said Dehlvi, a member of the delegation. Among those part of the delegation are Andhra Pradesh Information Minister Mohd Ali Shabber, Jammu and Kashmir High Court Judge Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru, Chief Head Priest of Nizamuddin Dargah Peer Khawaja Ahmed Nizami Syed Bukhari and Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari. The delegation also includes Syed Hyderall Shihab Thangal, General Secretary of Jamia Nooria of Kerala, Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, Sharief-e-Quadira Daira Shariff and Maulana Azgar Ali Salafi, Secretary General of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind. This year, more than 100,000 Mulsims are visiting Saudi Arabia for the Haj. The Haj involves weeklong celebrations and takes place seventy days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It includes several ceremonies all of which symbolise the essential concepts of the Islamic faith.

           The Centre grants travel subsidies to the pilgrims visiting Mecca, which is the place where Prophet Mohammed propagated Islam. The UPA Government has taken a decision not only to increase the number of Haj pilgrims from India, but also restored the subsidy, which had been reduced by the previous Government. The Haj Committee pilgrim quota was raised from 82,000 to 100,000 for Haj in 2006. Another 47,000 pilgrims (approximate figure) performed the Haj through the private tour operators, taking the total number of India pilgrims performing Haj in 2006 to 1,47,000, the full permissible Haj pilgrim quota for India. The Hajj is the foremost of all Muslim rituals, even if less than 10 percent of all Muslims ever manage to complete it. In modern times about 2.5 million Muslims fulfill the hajj every year, and this number seems to be fairly close to the recorded maximum. Saudi authorities now regulate how many may come from each country, requiring pilgrims to file requests, many of which are declined. A person performing, and having performed the hajj, is called hajji. Many hajjis add 'Hajj' or 'Hajji' to their name after returning from Mecca. The following are not obliged to perform hajj: Those who are mentally ill, slaves, women without travelling companions (like close relative or husband) and people without the necessary funds. The Haj's important lies in its allowing the believer to approach the assumed centre of the world, as well as the place where the Koran's divine revelations began and continued about 12 years. Of most importance, however, Islam teaches that the hajj is one of the oldest true and pure religious rituals (pure in the sense that is performed according to God's will). Muslim and Western researchers trace the origins of the ritual to Muhammad's doing it himself after the conquest of Mecca. While it is clear that Muslims commemorate Muhammad's acts, the exact theological or mythical reason for Muhammad's acts are unclear to modern researchers.
- Dec 25, 2006

Haj pilgrims from JK leave for Jeddah

          Bhaderwah (J-K): Over 300 people from Jammu and Kashmir left for Haj pilgrimage for Jeddah on Thursday. Their relatives thronged the bus stand in Bhaderwah to see off their loved ones. The Quran directs Muslim faithful to perform the Haj at least once during their lifetime. "Our people are going for the Haj pilgrimage, and they have gathered here today. They are leaving after saying their prayers, "said Ghulam Nabi, a local. "I wish a safe journey to those who are going for the pilgrimage, "said Imtiyaz, another local. The first batch of pilgrims left from Srinagar and New Delhi last month. Every year, over 70,000 pilgrims from India visit Mecca to perform the Haj. Over two million pilgrims undertake the journey each year from all over the world. Indian government provides a travel subsidy of 20,000 rupees (416 US dollars) to every pilgrim. The Haj involves week long celebrations and takes place seventy days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It includes several ceremonies all of which symbolise the essential concepts of the Islamic faith. Mecca is the place where Prophet Mohammed propagated Islam.
- Dec 7, 2006

Previous File

Index File

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline