At last, some good news for the Haj pilgrims from the State capital as arrangements for accommodating 150 more pilgrims have been made. Though, the arrangement is temporary and has been done by Auqaf-e-Shahi. A delegation of Auqaf-e-Shahi visited Saudi Arabia last week to purchase Rubaat (guest house for Haj pilgrims).
While talking to media persons here on Tuesday, Auqaf-e-Shahi board member and Reliable Group chairman Sikander Hafiz Khan said, "Besides adding additional lodging facility, two structures in North Azizia (in Mecca) have been identified for purchase. A decision to purchase would be taken by Auqaf-e-Shahi custodian Saba Sultan after a board meeting in the coming days."
Hafiz, supported by former MP Waqf Board chairman Gufran-e-Azam, also claimed that permission for use of existing Rubaat which has a capacity for 103 pilgrims has been granted.
The existing Rubaat was purchased by the then secretary Anwar Mohammed Khan, keeping in view extensive demolition for expansion of mosque in Mecca.
About 400-500 pilgrims from Bhopal offer Haj every year, for which lodging facility is free in these guest houses. However, only 250 will be accommodated in Mecca during Haj this year.
Auqaf-e-Shahi is a royal Waqf trust that manages endowment properties of erstwhile Begum Nawabs of Bhopal in the city and holy cities of Mecca and Medina. It is headed by Saba Sultan, daughter of the late Nawab of Bhopal Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi whose mother inherited the property of the erstwhile Bhopal State.