Foundation Stone Laid for Haj Bhavan Near Mangaluru International Airport
₹20 crore project at Bajpe expected to be completed within one and a half years
Mangaluru: The foundation stone for the proposed Mangaluru Haj Bhavan was laid at Bajpe near Mangaluru International Airport on Thursday under the Karnataka State Haj Committee.
Karnataka State Haj Committee Chairman Syed Zulfikar Khan said the facility is expected to be completed within one and a half years and will be developed as a unique model in the country.
Presiding over the foundation stone laying ceremony, Khan said the Karnataka government has allocated around ₹20 crore for the project, of which former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already released ₹10 crore.
The Haj Bhavan will be spread across 60,547 square feet and will feature a distinctive architectural design. Khan said a facility of this nature does not currently exist elsewhere in India.
He acknowledged the contributions of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ministers U.T. Khader and Zameer Ahmed Khan, and businessman Inayat Ali towards the project.
Khan also said Haj pilgrims would not be able to depart directly from Mangaluru during the upcoming Haj season, but arrangements would be made to facilitate departures from the city from the following season.
State Haj Committee to Facilitate Umrah Services
Addressing complaints concerning alleged cheating of Umrah pilgrims by private Haj tour operators, Khan said the State Haj Committee would soon make arrangements to organise Umrah pilgrimages directly through the committee.
He said the decision was being taken following directions from Haj and Waqf Minister U.T. Khader.
Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan described the establishment of a Haj Bhavan in Mangaluru as a long standing dream. He recalled discussions held with U.T. Khader, donor Inayat Ali and Dr. Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi, and highlighted former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s contribution to the project.
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah stressed the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence for development. He also made political allegations against the BJP, claiming that the party attempts to create social divisions for political gains, and urged people to oppose communal forces.
Haj and Waqf Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in charge minister U.T. Khader laid the foundation stone, while Samastha President Jifri Muthukoya Thangal led the dua.
Greetings were extended by Dakshina Kannada District Qazi Panakkad Syed Nasir Abdul Hayy Shihabuddin Ba Alawi Thangal, Udupi Joint Qazi Mani Abdul Hameed Musliyar and Rajya Sabha member Mansoor Ali Khan.
Several leaders and dignitaries attended the ceremony, including former MLC Nasir Ahmed, State Minorities Commission Chairman U. Nisar Ahmed, State Waqf Board Chairman Syed Muhammad Ali Hussaini, State Minorities Development Corporation Chairman B.K. Altaf Khan, former ministers B. Ramanath Rai and Abhayachandra Jain, former MLA Moideen Bava, Mangaluru City Corporation President Padmaraj Poojary and KPCC General Secretary Rakshith Shivaram.
Representatives of the State Haj Committee and various community organisations were also present.
Mangaluru Haj Management Committee President Haji Dr. Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi welcomed the gathering, while KPCC General Secretary, businessman and land donor Inayat Ali delivered the introductory remarks.
Bajpe Eidgah Masjid Khateeb Haris Saqafi recited the Qirath. Nizam Ansari Kalladka and Noufal Vitla compered the programme.