By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Imame-e-Haram Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Ali al Ghamidi was on a seven day visit to Lucknow (May 1-6), the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) government rolled out a red carpet while Muslims thronged in large numbers to offer namaz behind and listen to the Imam.
Imam-e-Ka’ba, they are more than one, are held in high esteem by Muslims. No doubt they command respect from the community. During past one year Imam Ghamidi was the second Imam-e-Ka’ba to visit UP. Earlier Sheikh Abdur Rehman Al-Sudais had arrived in Deoband on March 25, 2011.
Imame-e-Haram Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Ali al Ghamidi leading prayer in Lucknow in May 2012
No fingers are being raised over their visit but let us have a closer look at their visits and the effects following their trips.
Firstly, the Imam-e-Ka’ba usually comes at invitation. In previous two occasions, the invitations were extended by religious clerics. In Sheikh Sudais case the invitation was extended by Maulana Arshad Madani for participation in Azmat-e-Sahaba conference organised at Ramlila ground in Delhi. Shiekh Sudais also paid a trip to Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband and also to Parliament Annexe for a dinner. He also led prayers at Deoband and Delhi.
In Al Ghamidi’s case the invitation was extended by Maulana Salman Nadwi, a faculty member of Nadwatul Uloom. He laid foundation stone of several educational institutions, participated in several seminars, led prayers at Nadwa, Tile Wali Masjid, Aishbagh Eidgah and visited Barabanki also.
The common thing between their visits was government’s involvement. In Sheikh Sudais case a minister flew with him to Deoband from Delhi in a chopper. He attended the dinner at Parliament Annexe. Al Ghamidi on the other hand was received at airport by CM Akhilesh Yadav. In Lucknow, he hosted a dinner at his residence, several ministers followed Ghamidi’s programme while foolproof security arrangements with elaborate force was put in place. Perhaps it is used as a means to show their concern for Muslims.
What do the general Muslims feel during the visits of Imam-e-Kaaba? They try their level best to have his glimpse, offer namaz behind him and listen to his sermons. The Muslims consider themselves lucky if they get a chance to shake hands with him. The Muslim mass is satisfied and returns happily enduring all hardships in meeting him.
Those who had invited them however are on other platform. They get a chance to show their proximity to Imam-e-Ka’ba. Their intention is to convey the message to respective governments that they are close to Muslim religious heads and thus are important. Nothing can be said about their role after the visit of Imam-e-Ka’ba. They also get a chance to interact with high and mighty as the rich, influential and powerful will use all means to come close to Imam-e-Ka’ba who is their guest. Incidents of misbehaviour by the hosts at Farangi Mahal while Al Ghamidi was part of a seminar are still fresh in the memories of Lucknow Muslims. Younger brothers of Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali namely Naeem and Nadeem misbehaved with guests. MLAs, Officers, businessmen were allowed entry inside the hall while Muslims who arrived there holding the invitation card given by Farangi Mahli himself were asked to wait outside. At Lunch, even those low profile Muslims who had managed to sneak inside the hall were asked by Naeem and Nadeem to leave the hall. None of them protested because it was the dignity of Imam-e-Ka’ba.
A closer look at Al Ghamidi’s public functions reveals that they were more than religious. He laid foundation stone of a medical institute hosted by FI Builders, a school by Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, released books on Farangi Mahal and new building at Integral University. Each one of them had personal motives and not every one of them is all out for Muslims.
Al Ghamidi also stirred another debate. He did not meet any Shia cleric. Kalbe Jawwad was busy with his Shia Mahasammelan on May 6 while Kalbe Sadiq was not in Lucknow. Going by Sadiq’s previous history he prefers a Hindu seer more than a Muslim cleric so he is not accounted. Maulana Yasoob Abbas ridiculed Kalbe Jawwad’s invitation to Al Ghamidi for leading the prayer at Shia Asafi Masjid. He stated that grave of Bibi Fatima Zohra has been dismantled by Saudis and this should have been raised.
Al Ghamidi’s visit may have brought Muslim masses closer but it reflected the rift in Muslim ministers in UP. Cabinet Minister for health and family welfare Ahmed Hasan was present during the visit but another influential minister Azam Khan was nowhere in the scene. Khan even did not attend the dinner hosted in honor of Al Ghamidi by CM Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Some experts cite Iran connection for the frequent visit of Imam-e-Ka’ba. US foreign minister Hillary Clinton too arrived while Ghamidi left India. She openly vouched for curtailing crude oil import from Iran. Who knows ground for her visit was prepared in advance!