HILAL BHAT
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on its way to vision 2030 where it has recently issued a decree of granting citizenship to distinguished scientists , medicos , researchers , innovators and people who are exceptionally talented in sports and culture from across the globe.On similar lines they have taken Haj pilgrimage to the next level in the last half of a decade or so , whereby they allow and invite huge number of people by this and that means from across the globe to become part of Haj.And the process is on , further additions and changes are expected in the near future.Not only so , a huge number of people from countries like Egypt become part of Haj by illegal means without having any proper official permission and that swells the crowd to maximum.In a way Makkah has become a global hub which takes the overall foot print to arround fifty lakhs during the Haj period and the consequences are there , surfaced indeed.This affects the pilgrimage to the extent that even after having all specific arrangements in place from Saudi government , it is highly impossible to manage every pilgrim individually during 5 compulsary days of Haj period.As such performing Hajj is no longer a cake walk amid a sea of people in huge temperature that exceeds 50°c.Therefore , by all means Haj should be preffered by people who have not crossed fifty years of age.People from countries like Turkey , Maleshia , Sodan and Indonesia mostly perform Haj in their prime youth and rightly so.Nevertheless Haj should be preffered as farz and not to be kept as an option laterally in the final phase of one’s life which is seen mostly in India especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee has a lot of scope for improvement , both on structural and administrative levels.They have not done enough homework over the years of experience to meet newer emerging challanges.The reasons will be best known to them.Although they have exercised certain measures but that is not at par with the challenges anyway.Haj committee must devise some new methods and techniques and should take certain concrete measures to deal with the emerging situations.The committee must identify the hotspots and adress them with some innovative methods and measures.It must develop intact administrative engagements with HCI and submit a detailed report to them , if at all it has no access to Saudi administration.Consultations should be done with top Haj committees of the world who do it very well as compared to us.A post-Haj review meeting should be mendatory to analyse and evaluate the things.
Khudams as I saw are totally irrelevant to the job , seem helpless and can not offer any substantial service to pilgrims when it is demanded the most.They are not even able to communicate with the Saudi authorities or for that matter with Saudi police , nor they do have any administrative leverage by which they can redress any issue.Although most of them try their best to do a kind of voluntary social work and limitedly help at certain point of time but that is not any professional work which can mitigate any suffering of pilgrims nor it should be what Khudams should be deputed for.Therefore , current practice of Khudams can be easily done away with.Atleast that money can be saved which is managed from a pilgrim’s pocket.Instead , the job profile of Khadims must be well defined and the minimum eligibility should be having performed a Haj recently like not before 5 years of the Haj year.Moreover , a person must be able to communicate in Arabic language.
There are also various other issues like accomodation in Hotels where the number of persons staying in a room both in Madina and Makkah must be reduced to atleast half of the current practice.Half of the trainings imparted should focus on awareness as to how to deal with the conditions in Makkah.Genuine permission issues should be facilitated for government employees for on time grant of permissions.The matter should be discussed with the government and unnecessary delay in permissions should be avoided.Further I strongly recommend that J&K Haj Committe must frame a committee of officers who will interact with a random group of say some 50 Hajees who have performed their Haj in the last year.The feedback will definitely help them in preparing an all out plan for the future.I can not forget the dedication and kindness of Haj Officer Mr Irshad Sahab and Trainer Faisal Maqbool lone sahab who always remained at the forefront and facilitated pilgrims at every possible step.Their services must be acknowledged and recognised.I recommend their nomination for Best Haj Services ( Award ) for their wonderful work.
The author can be reached at biotechilal@gmail.com
