By S.M. Arif Maricar,
The Tamilnadu Muslim Cultural Association (TMCA), Kuwait, organized a 10-day Umra trip starting from June 24 for 150 pilgrims who visited the Holy shrines of Mecca and Madina to perform Umra and saw several historical places scattered between and around the two holiest cities in Islam. The pilgrims included TMCA members as well as non-members and their families.
The special send off ceremony was held on 24th June 2009. The grand ceremony was adorned by TMCA members, well-wishers and many prominent personalities. The function presided over by Almas Musthafa (President, TMCA) began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The welcome address was delivered by N.A.M. Abdul Aleem (General Secretary, TMCA) and the Umra pilgrimage address was delivered by Moulavi Nasar Rabbani B.A., (Proprietor, Al Ameen Umra Service and TMCA Advisory Committee Member). The function concluded with a vote of thanks by Hidayathullah (Education Secretary, TMCA). A large number of people including association members, prominent personalities and patrons of TMCA participated in the program.
The Umra pilgrims arrived Miqat on 25th June at 10:30 pm and Mecca at 12:30 pm with Talbiyah and performed Umra successfully before Fajr prayer. TMCA specially organized a tour to Taif hill station which was so enjoyable for the pilgrims. Journey to Taif was the most beautiful one as the climate was pleasant and it was a place with all over mountains.
On way to Taif hill station we were traveling over mountains by cable car which took us around 20 minutes to reach there. It was the most amazing trip as the place was chill. The pilgrims visited Ibn Abbas Raziallah u Anhu Tomb and masjid named after him where they offered Isha prayer. In the evening on 28th June, the group moved to Jeddah city in order to see for themselves Jeddah heritage souks and famous corniche (Beach) and sea fountain. Unfortunately, we learnt late that sea fountain was out of service for the past three months. However, most of us enjoyed the atmosphere there. On the same day (28th June) morning, pilgrims went on to local sightseeing (Ziyarat) like Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafat, Historical Museum, famous mosques, graveyards etc.
In the evening on 29th, office-bearers of TMCA (Almas Musthafa, President, Zahiruddin, Founder and Guardian Council member and Arif Maricar, Treasurer) visited Jeddah Tamil Sangam on invitation, had mutual interaction and elaborate discussions. Few copies of Mega Program 2009 and Umra Malar presented to them. Jeddah Tamil Sangam appreciated our efforts for the noble cause. Abdul Malik, President and all other Executive members honored the visiting TMCA delegation with Dinner at Chennai Darbar Restaurant, Aziziya. TMCA office-bearers extended their invitation to all office-bearers present there to visit Kuwait at the soonest possible time, who happily accepted.
On 31st June, after Isha prayer, pilgrims started leaving for holy Madina Munawarah – caravans left at 2300 hrs. Reaching Masjid Quba for Fajr prayer, we were briefed of its historical importance. Then the day started with Madiba Ziyarat without break, visiting Masjid Qiblatain, Masjid Kamaama, Masjid Bilal, Masajid Saba’h (Seven Mosques), Jannat Bakhi, Uhud battle field wherein 70 sahabees including prominent sahabi, Hamza Raziallahu Anhu attained martyrdom (shahadath), Dates Factory and Holy Quran Printing Press, where copies of Tamil Quran were freely distributed among the visitors.
On 2nd July, Thursday, a special trip was arranged in one bus to visit Bader battlefield located about 150 kms from Madinah AlMunawarah. On 3rd July, Friday, after Juma’ah prayer, at about 5 pm, all pilgrims from three buses started leaving for Kuwait and arrived at the borders in the early morning hours of 4th July, Saturday.
Abdul Aleem, General Secretary, Muneer Ahamed, Deputy General Secretary, Jahir Hussain, Joint Treasurer, Mohamed Harris, Public Relation Officer, ‘Ramzy’ Shahjahan, Advisor – TMCA and Zahiruddin, Founder and Guardian Council member welcomed the pilgrims. Tea and juice were arranged for all of them. All pilgrims left for their home appreciating TMCA’s whole-hearted cooperation and conduct of affairs from the beginning to end.
The whole program was arranged by the work force of Umra Pilgrimage such as dedicated members Almas Musthafa (President, TMCA), Abdul Aleem (General Secretary – TMCA), I. Zahiruddin (Custodian Committee), Abdur Rawoof (Al-Ameen Umra Service), Swamimalai, H. Jahir Hussain (Joint Treasurer), Karaikal, S.M. Arif Maraicar (Treasurer), I Nisar Ahamed, Public Relation Officer, and CC Members such as Akbar, Sheikh, Khaleel, Swamimalai, H. Kamal Batcha, Ruknuddin and other members.
The special contributions for the Umra trip were made by various organizations, companies and individuals which are as follows.
1. Umra Special Editions Printing by Lucky Printing Press
2. Umra Dinner for Pilgrims by Almas Restaurant
3. Juices and Water by Br. Jahir Hussain, Al-Yasra Food and Beverage Co.,
4. Cakes and snacks provided by Mr. Anwar Hussain (Al-Marai Co., Br.S.M. Arif Maricar (Treasurer), Br. H. Jahir Hussain (Joint-Treasurer) and Br.Kamal Batcha (TMCA Coordinator)
6. Accreditation Card by prepared Br. Muneer Ahamed, Deputy General Secretary, Br. M.D Arif Maricar (TMCA Coordinator).
7. Fruits for all the pilgrims donated by TMCA CC Members.
TMCA has expressed the heartiest gratitude for all the contributors for this wonderful pilgrimage and the dedicated volunteers for their restless efforts to make this excellent task successful. The group has also thanked Al-Ameen Umra Service for their kind cooperation, devotedness and extra efforts for it.
(The author is Technical Clerk, Ministry of Electricity & Water, Kuwait, and Treasurer, Tamilnadu Muslim Cultural Association, Kuwait.)