The Jeddah-based Khak-e-Taiba Trust (KTT) and the Socio-Reforms Society of India (SRSI) honored Haj pilgrims from India at the weekend.

Members of the organizations felicitated Maulana Moiz Farooqui, a young Islamic scholar from Jamia Islamia Kashif-ul-Uloom, Aurangabad, and Rashid Khan “Mamu,” former mayor of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation.

Aleem Khan Falaki, the SRSI president, welcomed the guests. “When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) completed the structure of the Holy Kaaba and called on the people in his loudest voice to perform Haj, that call continued to reverberate and answered each year by millions of Muslims around the globe. I am happy this year you were among those fortunate ones.”

Syed Khaja Viqaruddin, the KTT general secretary, highlighted the organization's free education and vocational training courses for poor members of the community in Hyderabad and Jeddah's Computer Center and Career Guidance Bureau.

Farooqui touched on the important aspects of Haj and highlighted the role of madrasas. “Madrasas are the cultural identity of Muslims, through which the fundamentals of Islam are built.”

“Islam does not prevent anyone from getting professional degrees in engineering or medicine, but at the same time the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah play a vital role. Kashif-ul-Uloom of Aurangabad guides a student properly and runs 21 streams to inculcate the message of humanity and brotherhood.”

Rashid Khan said: “With your endeavors, the Indian expatriate community has gained a good name for their nation and I am proud of it." He said the "halal" earnings here of expatriates had helped them improve the lives of their families. They are "millionaires" because they are raising their children in the "proper" Islamic way, he said.

Aijaz Ahmed Khan, the KTT president, thanked everyone for participating in the event and for helping the poorer members of the community.

Viqaruddin handed a plaque of appreciation to the chief guest, while Jamal Qadri, president of the Urdu Academy-Jeddah, presented him a copy of the Holy Qur’an. Aijaz Ahmed Khan gave a plaque to Rashid Khan, and a copy of the Holy Qur’an by Hasan Bayazeed Ather. Abbas Khan, the vice president, presented a plaque to Farooqui, who also received a copy of the Holy Qur’an from Siyadath Ali Khan.

Khaliuddin Shujauddin read out a message from Ashfaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind who also performed Haj this year.

The program began earlier with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Abbas Khan and a devotional song, known as ‘naat,’ by Mohammed Riazuddin.

Farooqui concluded the event with special prayers for Indians who passed away recently including Vizarath Rasool Khan, the chairman of Shadan Group of Education Institutions; Mahmood bin Mohammed, former Indian ambassador to the Kingdom; and the former ministers, Lal Jan Pasha and Basheeruddin Babu Khan.