Jameel Aahmed Milansaar

 Haj Ghar in Bangalore

   by JAMEEL

The new Haj Ghar, a long-standing demand of Muslims in the state, will be built at a total cost of Rs 40 crore. The government has already released Rs 12 crore for the project. 

                                                                  Speaking at the inaugural programme, 

Syed Zameer Pasha
Secretary of Department of Minorities Welfare

Syed Zameer Pasha, Secretary of Department of Minorities Welfare said, “It is a matter of pride and communal harmony that the project has been launched on Sankranti. All this work is possible because of the CM’s personal interest.”

Religious head Amire Shariath Maulana Mufti Ashraf Ali Saheb stated that fulfilling a long standing demand of the Muslim population in the state by the CM has shown his secular credentials. “The muslim population of the state is happy under his rule,” he said. Showing his support for the project DV Sadananda Gowda said that he is ready to grant `10 crore more for the project if needed. “An amount of `15 crore has already been given and the state is ready to grant Rs 10 crore more for the project. We (BJP) have been accused of donating only to temples and today’s function will free us of that accusation.” 

The Haj Ghar project at Titupenahalli near Yelahanka started off with the foundation stone ceremony on Sunday.The Rs40-crore project is an initiative by the state’s department of minority welfare. Yelahanka has been chosen for its proximity to the international airport.Haj Ghar’s three-acre land is expected to have 100 rooms and 500 beds; one room can be shared by four people.The property will have all the basic amenities.

Just before the inauguration of Haj Ghar project , the audience were in for a rude shock when Chamrajpet MLA, Zameer Ahmed, in a fit of rage, lifted a glass-top table and threw it on the dais. 

The MLA was furious that senior leader CK Jaffer Sharief's name was not called out first during the welcome speech by Syed Zameer Pasha, secretary, Minorities Welfare Department

It took a while for the dignitaries to pacify MLA Ahmed.

Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda was taken aback by the incident. “Such an incident must not occur during a happy occasion,” he said, adding  that he will discuss with the Haj Committee members before the budget session to render any possible help.  In a lighter note, addressing MLA Ahmed, he said, “I’ll send you out if you become angry during the session,” to which Ahmed stood up and apologised.

JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed Smashing Table at Haj Ghar Ceremony was indeed a shameful act, which can't be Justified on any occasion, where as this was the function (foundation of Haj Ghar) which was long awaited by Karnataka Muslim bretheren. Meanwhile the aspect which everyone should know here is that,IAS officer & Secretary for Minorities department Syed Zameer Pasha, to whose speech Zameer was objecting, has given a lot of effort in passing this project, running post to pillar in Convincing the present government (which in CM's own words is famous for sanctioning hefty amount to Mutts) to Sanction the 41 crores for HAJ GHAR.Even though many political Leaders have tried before, and once the land was allotted, then cancelled, But Syed Zameer Pasha has not only suceeded in passing the project, but also good enough to start the project.

I dont know that if this is just a co-incidence both have same name i.e ZAMEER., But the divergent is largely visible.

Meanwhile,Gowda took serious objection to JD(S) legislator Zameer Ahmed reportedly throwing a table in protest against 'ignoring' former union minister and veteran Congress leader Jaffer Sharif, whose name was mentioned last in the welcome address by Syed Zameer Pasha, Secretary Minorities Welfare, Social Welfare Department. Ahmed is also a member of the Karnataka Haj Committee. "I feel sorry for this incident. Ahmed was in my residence this morning for talks, but I did not expect him to lose his temper so fast. I am the Chief Minister of 6.5 crore people of Karnataka and also a humble man. Anyone from Muslim community can come and meet me any time. But such angry outburst is undesirable", he said.

Besides the mosque, a common hall will also be constructed. The pilgrims can assemble in the hall, where they will be briefed about airport schedules through audio-visual devices.Parking space for 800-900 vehicles will also be available.

Claiming it was the BJP government ,which has provided maximum allocation for minorities' welfare, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today announced a grant of Rs 40 crore for the proposed Haj building here. Speaking after the ground breaking ceremony, he said the BJP government had provided maximum allocation of Rs 360 crore in the current fiscal to minorities, while the figure was just Rs 50 crore until the saffron party came to power in 2008. Of 60 to 70 lakh Muslim population in Karnataka, about 50,000 go on Haj pilgrimage every year and the Haj Building had been a long standing demand of the pilgrims, he said. "Today I want to tell my Muslim brethren that the BJP government does not believe in just helping religious mutts or temples. After coming to power it has sanctioned Rs 150 crore, Rs 250 crore and now Rs 360 crore in the last three years crore for minority welfare. I want to see a Haj Bhavan in the city which is among the best in the country," he said. Gowda said the government had already released Rs 15 crore for the building. 

Home Minister R Ashok, MLA Krishnabyregowda, MP Chandregowda, MLA NA Harris, Former Minister and Senior Congress Leader CK Jaffer Sharief were also present