HYDERABAD: A joint coordination meeting was held on Saturday at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat to review preparations for the Haj-2025 pilgrimage, with Telangana set to host 12,000 pilgrims at the Hyderabad Embarkation Point, including 1,200 from Andhra Pradesh.
The review meeting, held at the request of the Andhra Pradesh Government, was presided over by Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir. Andhra Pradesh Minister for Law, Justice and Minorities Welfare N. Md. Farooq led the AP delegation and participated in the discussions.
In his address, Shabbir Ali assured that Telangana would extend every possible support to pilgrims from both states. He said that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had issued firm directions to ensure that each pilgrim is treated with dignity and provided with seamless services. “The Telangana Haj Committee is fully prepared to make Haj-2025 a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims,” he said.
Minister Md Farooq expressed gratitude to the Telangana Government for its hospitality and promised full cooperation from Andhra Pradesh. “We are grateful for the support being extended to our pilgrims and look forward to working together in the spirit of unity and service,” he said, adding that 1,200 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh will depart from Hyderabad.
According to officials, a total of 12,000 pilgrims from 17 states will depart for Haj. Starting from 29 April, 31 flights are scheduled from the city – 7 to Madina and 24 to Jeddah. The Telangana Haj Committee will oversee all ground-level services, including accommodation, food, transportation, luggage handling, medical care, and boarding arrangements at the Haj House in Hyderabad.
Commissioner of Minority Welfare (Telangana) Yasmin Basha welcomed the delegates and presented a detailed overview of the arrangements. She highlighted improvements in accommodation, coordination, and logistics aimed at ensuring a streamlined experience for all pilgrims.
Ch. Sridhar, Secretary to Government (Minority Welfare Department, AP), pledged full support from the Andhra Pradesh administration. He confirmed that a dedicated team would work in close coordination with Telangana authorities throughout the departure phase.
The meeting was attended by Telangana Haj Committee Chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani, Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee Chairman SK Hassan Basha, Executive Officer of AP Haj Committee S. Md. Ghouse Peer, Executive Officer of Telangana Haj Committee Sajjad Ali, Telangana Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussaini, TMREIS President Faheem Qureshi, and State Grandhalaya Samstha Chairman Md Riyaz, among others.
The session concluded with a reaffirmed commitment from both governments to work jointly and ensure that Haj-2025 is conducted with efficiency, respect, and complete coordination, reflecting the shared responsibility to serve the pilgrims with devotion and excellence.
