Mangaluru, Sept 17: The foundation stone for the proposed Mangaluru Haj Bhavan was laid at Bajpe near Mangaluru International Airport on Thursday, marking a significant step towards establishing a dedicated facility for Haj pilgrims from coastal Karnataka.

The project, being undertaken under the Karnataka State Haj Committee, is estimated to cost Rs 20 crore and is expected to be completed within one-and-a-half years, according to Karnataka State Haj Committee chairman Syed Zulfikar Khan.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Khan said the Karnataka government has sanctioned funding for the project, with former chief minister Siddaramaiah having already released Rs 10 crore.

The proposed Haj Bhavan will come up on an area of 60,547 square feet and will feature a distinctive architectural design. Khan said the facility is envisioned as a unique project and claimed that there is currently no Haj Bhavan of a similar nature elsewhere in the country.

He acknowledged the contributions of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Haj and Waqf Minister U T Khader, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and businessman Inayat Ali towards the project.

Khan also said that Haj pilgrims would not be able to depart directly from Mangaluru during the current season, but arrangements would be made to facilitate departures from the city from the following Haj season.

State Haj Committee plans direct Umrah services

Khan further announced that the Karnataka State Haj Committee is preparing to organise Umrah pilgrimages directly through the committee.

The announcement follows complaints regarding alleged cheating of Umrah pilgrims by some private Haj and Umrah tour operators. Khan said the preparations were being taken up 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 aspiration. He said discussions had been held on the project with U T Khader, land donor Inayat Ali and Dr Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi, while also acknowledging Siddaramaiah’s contribution towards the initiative.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, speaking at the programme, stressed the importance of social unity for peace and development. He alleged that the BJP seeks to create divisions among communities for political gains and called upon people to resist communal forces.

U T Khader laid the foundation stone for the facility, 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.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of political leaders, elected representatives, religious figures and community representatives. Among those present were former MLC Nasir Ahmed, Karnataka 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.

Haj Committee representatives and other community leaders also participated in the programme.

Mangaluru Haj Management Committee president Haji Dr Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi welcomed the gathering, while KPCC general secretary and businessman Inayat Ali, who donated the land for the project, delivered the introductory remarks.

Bajpe Eidgah Masjid Khateeb Haris Saqafi recited the Qirath. Nizam Ansari Kalladka and Noufal Vitla compered the programme.