Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed, leader of India's Haj Goodwill delegation, and Anwar Mohammed Khan, deputy leader of the delegation, pose for a photo with Consul General B.S. Mubarak, Haj Consul Muhammad Noor Rahman Sheikh and media persons during a press conference at the consulate on Wednesday. — Courtesy photo Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette
MEHBOOBA Mufti Sayeed, leader of India's Haj Goodwill delegation, lauded the government of Saudi Arabia for completing multibillion riyal worth massive infrastructure projects that enabled the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. “It is a miracle to manage each and every meticulous aspect in regards to offering the best ever services and facilities for over two million pilgrims. We hope the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman would come out with plans to overcome occurrence of any tragedies like that happened during this year's Haj,” she said. A total of 50 Indians died and more than 80 missing in the Mina stampede. Addressing a press conference at the Indian Consulate General here on Wednesday, Mehbooba, a senior politician from the Kashmir Valley, said that the Central Haj Committee and the government of India need to take more measures to give proper awareness for pilgrims well before their departure to the holy city. “The Saudi government and the respective Haj missions should work together to make fully aware of Hajis about dos and don'ts. The government should have a proper mechanism to avoid such unfortunate situations,” she said while referring to the Mina stampede and Haram crane crash. Mehbooba, who performed Haj for the first time in 1995 as a member of goodwill delegation, thanked the Saudi government for the facilities and services readied for the pilgrims. “Since my first Haj in 95, I have seen a lot of improvement in the basic facilities and amenities as well as the services being rendered to the pilgrims. The high tech Jamarat Complex and the Mashaer Train have made the stoning ritual and transportation of pilgrims within the holy sites much more easier,” she said. Mehbooba said: “During the meeting with Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar, I took up a number of issues. These included the issue of difficulties in serving food for pilgrims. We had an agreement with the caterer to provide fresh food in Madinah but as soon as pilgrims started coming the caterer refused to distribute it. I took up the matter with the minister and demanded to hold accountable those who caused this mess.” Referring to the Mina stampede, she appealed to the Saudi authorities to share with the Haj missions of the respective countries the latest information about the missing pilgrims so as to relieve the anguish of their worried kin back home. “Several bodies are yet to be identified one week after the tragedy. We would appreciate if the government of Saudi Arabia would release information about the missing Hajis so that we can pass this to their relatives,” she said. Mehbooba mourned the death of the pilgrims in the two tragedies of Haram crane crash and the Mina stampede. “On behalf of prime minister and people of India, I convey condolences on the death of pilgrims in these very sad and unfortunate incidents to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the government and people of Saudi Arabia as well as to the bereaved family members of the dead. I pray Allah Almighty to include those dead among martyrs and give their family members strength and patience to overcome this mishap,” she said while praying for the speedy recovery for those injured in the tragedy. She thanked the Saudi authorities for the best ever treatment being provided to the injured pilgrims. Mehbooba praised the commendable and excellent Haj operation and high tech services being offered by the Indian Haj mission, under the leadership of Consul General B.S. Mubarak, and Deputy Consul General and Haj Consul Muhammad Noor Rahman Sheikh, to the pilgrims. “I have noticed a lot of improvements in India's Haj operation, especially introducing of standardized baggage and high tech services like Pilgrims' Accommodation Locator, and it is very good experience to come and see the Haj operation.” Anwar Mohammed Khan, deputy leader of the delegation, Consul General B.S. Mubarak, and Deputy Consul General and Haj Consul Muhammad Noor Rahman Sheikh also attended the press conference.
