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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Haj Committee reopens free UPSC coaching centre in Mumbai after one year closure
MUMBAI: After a closure for one year, the Haj Committee of India reopened its free residential coaching centre for UPSC aspirants at the Haj House here. The residential coaching centre was closed in December 2023. Recently, the Haj Panel issued a notice inviting applications for admission to the free residential coaching centre for Civil Services exams, both preliminary and main (2026), for 100 seats. For the first time, the coaching programme, being funded entirely by the money of Hajis kept as a corpus with the Haj Committee, is allocating 20% of seats to candidates of other minorities, SCs, STs, and OBCs. The notice issued by Haj Committee CEO Shanvas C recently stated that candidates will be selected after a written examination and personal interview. June 21 is the last day for submission of applications, while the entrance exam is scheduled for July 13, with essay writing and personal interviews on July 24 and 25. The admission process will be completed on July 31, while classes will commence on August 11. Started in 2009, the coaching centre's closure had drawn flak from community leaders. Subsequently, many, including Congress MLA Amin Patel and Congress functionary Mudassar Patel approached Congress Rajya Sabha Member Imran Pratapgadhi, who raised the issue in Parliament. Mudassar Patel,said that he personally met both Pratapgadhi and former CEO of Haj Committee and requested them to restart the centre. "On my request, Imran Pratapgadhi raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha. The matter reached Mr Rijiju and he approved reopening of the coaching centre which is going to help underprivileged candidates," said Mudassar Patel. Amin Patel too welcomed the move. "We are grateful to Imran Pratapgadhi too for raising the issue, which convinced minority affairs minister Kiran Rijiju to allow the Haj Committee to restart the coaching centre," said Patel. Former CEO of Haj Committee Md Owais, who was instrumental in starting the coaching centre in 2009, said: "Many candidates from underprivileged backgrounds who cannot afford expensive coaching at private institutes benefited. This is great news that the Haj Committee has restarted this centre, which will benefit the poor candidates."
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Haj Committee revives coaching programme for Muslim UPSC aspirants
A year after shutting down its residential coaching facility for Muslim civil services aspirants, the Haj Committee of India (HCI) has announced the reopening of its Mumbai-based training centre. The revamped programme will now have 20 per cent seats reserved for candidates from other minority communities as well as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). A formal notification has been issued, inviting applications for the upcoming batch aimed at preparing aspirants for the 2026 Civil Services Examination. An entrance test will be held on July 13 simultaneously across 21 centres in India. This will be followed by an essay-writing round and personal interviews to select 100 candidates. The coaching programme will commence on August 11 this year in Mumbai. According to the notification dated May 22, which was issued by HCI CEO Shanavas C, out of the total 100 seats, 80 per cent are reserved for candidates from the Muslim community, while the remaining 20 per cent will be for other minority groups, including SCs, STs and OBCs. While non-Muslim candidates were previously provided accommodation informally during exams, this is the first time HCI has formally included seats for other minorities in its selection process. Shanavas C said, 'This decision was taken by the committee last year to make the institute more inclusive. It is also expected to encourage a competitive atmosphere and healthy learning environment for civil services aspirants.' The institute was established in 2009 to provide affordable residential coaching to Muslim students — the only one of its kind run by the Haj committee. Since then, sources said, about 1,500 students have undergone coaching here with 25 of them getting selected for the civil services. The coaching is funded by donations the Haj Committee receives from pilgrims going for Haj. Following a cut in student intake that led to protests in 2022 and an admissions cycle delayed by the pandemic, the residential coaching institute in Mumbai was closed in December 2023. The Indian Express had reported it in July 2024. The HCI at that time had maintained it was only a temporary suspension along with assurances that it will restart soon. In preparation for the new academic cycle, several meetings have been held. Shanavas C said, 'The government has expressed its support. In fact, we are considering starting similar centres in other states where necessary infrastructure is ready.' While accommodation and coaching will be provided free of cost, food will be subsidised. Deputy CEO Sadafat Ali said, 'We are currently working on formalising a policy for food-related expenses.' The decision to reopen the institute has been welcomed by many. Shahebaj Maniyar, a senior research scholar at Mumbai University and former Haj House student, said, 'The institute has been instrumental in helping many Muslim candidates, especially girls, to pursue their dream of joining the civil services. Families trusted the institution, which played a big role in their decision to allow daughters to stay and study there.' The age limit for applicants has been capped at 30 years, even though UPSC allows age relaxation up to 35 for OBC and 37 for SC/ST candidates. In response, HCI said the age limit has been intentionally set to support younger aspirants and not to align with UPSC age-limit.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Hans India
2nd batch of AP Haj pilgrims departs from Hyderabad
Amaravati: The second contingent of Haj pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, totalling 906 individuals, departed for Jeddah on Monday, marking a significant phase in the State's meticulously organised pilgrimage arrangements. Minister for Law and Minority Welfare NMD Farooq flagged off the pilgrims from Hyderabad, emphasising the State government's comprehensive efforts to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey for all, according to a communiqué released from the Secretariat here on Monday. The flag-off ceremony took place at Shah Function Plaza in Lakdikapul in Hyderabad, organised jointly by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee. Minister Farooq accompanied by Minority Affairs Ministry Advisor MA Sharif, Haj Committee Chairman Hasan Basha and other committee members, extended their best wishes to the departing pilgrims. Minister Farooq stated that a total of 1,630 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh are undertaking the sacred Haj journey this year. Of these, 1,170 are departing from the Hyderabad embarkation center, 451 from Bengaluru, and the remaining nine from other embarkation points. He further detailed that 818 Haj pilgrims are scheduled to travel from the Hyderabad embarkation center on Monday and Tuesday across three flights. An additional 88 pilgrims will depart on the final flight on May 27. Due to only 72 pilgrims opting for Vijayawada as their embarkation point, and resulting technical limitations preventing a special charter flight from being arranged by the Indian Ministry of Aviation, the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai, granted permission for these 72 pilgrims to depart from Hyderabad. Minister Farooq also highlighted that during the first phase last month, 724 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh successfully travelled to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina from Hyderabad and Bengaluru embarkation centers. He assured that all these pilgrims reached their destinations safely and securely with the support of the state government, and similar arrangements have been made for the remaining pilgrims. The Minister extended his gratitude to the governments of Telangana and Karnataka for their full cooperation. Haj Committee EO Ghaus Peer and representatives from the Minority Ministries and Haj Committees of both Telugu states were also present.
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Muslim women given representation in Haj Committee to put problems, suggestions before panel: CM Dhami
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 14 (ANI): The Uttarakhand government under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given Muslim women a place in the State Haj Committee. This will allow them to share their concerns and suggestions directly with the committee, according to a CMO statement. According to an official statement, three Muslim women have been appointed as members, Rizwana Parveen, a councillor from Kotdwar Municipal Corporation; Tarannum Khan of Haldwani; and Shahida Siraj of Almora. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the move aims to include women's perspectives in matters related to the Hajj pilgrimage. 'Muslim women going on the Hajj pilgrimage also face many problems. By giving them representation in the Haj Committee for the first time after the formation of the state, we have ensured that they can put their problems and suggestions directly before the committee,' Dhami said. He added that the decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts toward women's empowerment. 'The government had appointed Saira Bano as the Vice President of the State Women's Commission, working towards women's empowerment,' the Chief Minister said. The updated list of members released by the government also includes Laksar MLA Muhammad Shahzad. Other members nominated to the Haj Committee include Zeeshan Ahmed, Haseeb Ahmed, Islamuddin Ansari, Sameer Jafri, Khatib Ahmed, Mannan Raja, Haji Abrar Hussain and Haji Faim Khan. Earlier, the Uttarakhand State Haj Committee had requested the setting up of vaccination camps across the state for Haj pilgrims selected for Haj Yatra-2025, which was in line with past practice. The vaccinations include Meningococcal Meningitis, Seasonal Influenza, and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine). According to officials, the Deputy Secretary of Minority Welfare has requested the Director General of Medical Health to take necessary further action promptly regarding the vaccination program outlined by the Hajj Committee. The Executive Officer of the State Haj Committee has instructed the Chief Medical Officers of the concerned districts to ensure that vaccines are administered in sufficient numbers, taking into account the total number of Haj pilgrims selected for vaccination at each camp. (ANI)
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- The Hindu
Haj flight operations from Kerala begin
The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Kerala under the State Haj Committee supervision left Karipur for Jeddah in the early hours of Saturday. Air India Express flight IX 3011 took off from Karipur at 12.45 a.m. carrying 172 pilgrims. As many as 95 of them were women. The pilgrims had reached the Haj camp at Haj House, Karipur, on Friday morning. They held the Juma prayers at the camp. Minister in charge of Haj affairs V. Abdurahiman inaugurated the camp, and bid farewell to the first batch of pilgrims. The second Haj flight departed from Karipur at 4.30 p.m. with 87 men and 86 women on board. Officials said there would be three Haj flights from Karipur and two from Kannur on Sunday. The flights from Karipur will be at 12.55 a.m., 8.50 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The pilgrims flying on Sunday reached the Haj camps on Saturday. The first flight from Kannur will leave at 4 a.m. on Sunday, and the second flight will be at 7.30 p.m. The Haj camp offers various amenities, including medical facilities and currency exchange services. Airlines operating Haj flights have imposed temporary baggage weight restrictions until Monday due to international air traffic regulations. The Minister urged the Haj pilgrims to pray for global peace, particularly in light of escalating border tensions. He advised them to take care and precautions against extreme heat in Saudi Arabia. Haj Committee Chairman Husain Saqafi Chullikkode presided over the inaugural function. P. Abdul Hameed, MLA, was the chief guest. Ahamed Devarkovil, MLA, T.V. Ibrahim, MLA, and P.T.A. Raheem, MLA, spoke. Syed Rasheedali Shihab led a prayer.
