Haj Committee to reduce pilgrim to khadim ratio for better interaction

TGHC increases khadim-ul-hujjaj for better pilgrim interactions in upcoming haj season, aiming for efficient and clear guidance.

The Telangana State Haj Committe (TGHC) has decided to increase the number of khadim-ul-hujjaj (haj helpers) deputed to accompany the pilgrims. This would would enable clearer and better interactions between pilgrims and khadim-ul-hujjaj once they land in Saudi Arabia to make the pilgrimage.

“Previously each khadim, who is a government servant, was responsible for 300 pilgrims. This was later reduced to 200 pilgrims for every khadim. Now, in the upcoming season, we will see 150 pilgrims for each khadim,” TGHC Chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani told The Hindu. “We understood that it was becoming extremely difficult for 300 or 200 pilgrims to interact with their assigned khadim.”

Interestingly, the nomenclature itself is likely to change so as to avoid misconceptions over their role and duties. Some pilgrims, Mr Biyabani said, were under the impression that khadims were assigned to their groups as porters who would do the heavy lifting. “The word khadim means worker or attendant. This was giving pilgrims the wrong impression. Some of them were expecting khadim-ul-hujjaj to lug their bags around. This is not the role of the khadim. The khadim is there as a guide and a facilitator,” Mr Biyabani said. “The nomenclature will soon change to Haj Inspector.”

He pointed out that this year, TGHC has been scouting for more able-bodied khadim-ul-hujjaj who are quick on the uptake, and posses a presence of mind to act under stressful and challenging situations. One of the reasons for this was the reporting of several instances of inconvenience pilgrims faced last haj season.

“We want sharp, younger and stronger khadim-ul-hujjaj. While the Haj Committee of India has prescribed a computer based test for them, I have been interviewing candidates so that they fit the requirement. So far 172 candidates have been interviewed and some 40 have been selected. We are also looking in them a zeal to discharge their duties in an uncompromising manner,” Mr. Biyabani said. More interviews are in the offing.

Meanwhile, the TGHC is gearing up for a likely increase in number leaving to make the pilgrimage from the Hyderabad embarkation point. This is on account of the Union government’s decision to allow pilgrims to choose their embarkation point.

“Last year there were over 2,000 people from other States who made the journey from the Hyderabad embarkation point. In the upcoming haj season, and with pilgrims being allowed to choose the embarkation point, we expect this number to increase. This is because in Telangana, in general, and in Hyderabad, in particular, have a considerable number of Muslims who belong to other States, but live and work here,” he said.