A prize draw to accommodate pilgrims coming from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad free of charge during Haj this year was held by the Nizam’s Rubat on Sunday.
The draw, which is being held for the first time ever in Saudi Arabia, selected 408 pilgrims from the Nizam’s home state for free accommodation at the Rubat. The draw was held in the presence of Dr. Shaikh Osama Al-Siddiqui from the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance and visitors from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Hussain Mohammed Al-Shareef, caretaker of Rubat, told Arab News, “Rubat received a total of 3,505 applications through the online system from India and 408 have been selected in the draw. They are entitled to stay free of charge during their Haj pilgrimage to Makkah this year.”
The facility at Misfalah can accommodate 263 pilgrims, while the second facility at the Mansur district can accommodate 144 pilgrims according to norms laid down by the Makkah Municipality and Civil Defense officials, he said.
“Pilgrims selected in the draw will be exempted from paying accommodation charges by India’s Central Haj Committee (CHC). In addition, pilgrims would be required to pay a lower amount for the second installment of Haj expenses back home.”
He said that the list of selected pilgrims would be forwarded to the Indian Consulate.
“We held the draw in Hyderabad last year but experienced official and community pressure for favors. We then decided to hold a draw in Makkah transparently,” Hussain Al-Shareef said.
Hussain Al-Shareef said the Rubat acquired in the Mansur district for the first time has been given official permission to host Haj pilgrims.
He said that both the Rubat buildings are managed with the objective of ensuring optimum hospitality and comfort for guests and that 8,000 Umrah pilgrims have thus far been provided accommodation this year.
“A total of 75,000 pilgrims have stayed in the premises since I assumed responsibility of the Rubat in Makkah,” he said.
Several “Asaf Jah” rulers from Hyderabad had built several such free lodges or Inn facilities in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with the aim of providing free accommodation to citizens.
It was in 1857 that the then Nizam the Fifth built the Rubats and his successor continued with the tradition and practice. All the Rubats vanished over the course of time, but one Rubat was relocated to Misfalah and another was acquired at Al-Mansur.
Hussain Al-Shareef was appointed caretaker of Rubat through a Shariah Court in Makkah 17 years ago after the demise of his father in 1996, who was deputed by Nizam Auqaf Committee (NAC) in Hyderabad to look after the Rubat Affairs in Makkah.
Back home in India, there is controversy over the role played by Hussain Al-Shareef, with NAC contending that he has no mandate to conduct a draw of lots to select pilgrims since he was merely an employee. Only the NAC had the authority to conduct the draw, they argue.
However, after Hussain Al-Shareef presented his version that he was the sole authority, a court in Saudi Arabia entrusted the responsibility to maintain the Rubat to him.
The NAC, which claims ownership over the Rubat, has been at loggerheads with Hussain Al-Shareef, a Saudi citizen of Indian origin. According to the rules followed in the past, it was the duty of the NAC to select pilgrims in Hyderabad and send their names to the caretaker in Makkah through the Central Haj Committee.
However, of late, the caretaker began selecting pilgrims on his own through the online system and forwarded the selected names to the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.
Al-Shareef claims that only he is authorized to select pilgrims seeking accommodation in the Rubat during Haj. The NAC, however, contends that Al-Shareef is only their employee and that he has to adhere to the Mansha-e-Wwaqf (purpose of wakf) and has no right to shortlist pilgrims.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah is aware of the feud between caretakers and the NAC. Mir Barkat Ali Khan, commonly known as Prince Mukkaram Jah, is the "mutawalli" of endowments in the Nizam’s family.
Hyderabad Rubat holds draw for free stay amid controversy
