Khaleequr Rahman: What is UMRAH and How to perform it

Khaleequr Rahman: What is UMRAH and How to perform it: "UMRAH What is Umrah? Umrah is a mini Hajj that can be performed at any time of the year. It can be performed along with Hajj and in other d..."

What is UMRAH and How to perform it

UMRAH

What is Umrah? Umrah is a mini Hajj that can be performed at any time of the year. It can be performed along with Hajj and in other days as well. According to Quran:

"---accomplish Hajj and Umrah to please Allah". (Al-Baqrah, 196)

Great Merits of Performing Umrah

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has described the great merits of performing Umrah.

He has said:

"The people who come to perform Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah because they visit His House on His Call; therefore, Allah grants them what they ask for".1

He has also said:

"One Umrah becomes an atonement for the sins committed up to the next Umrah".2

He has said again:

"Anyone who leaves his house with the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah and dies on the way will enter paradise without judgement. Allah is proud of those who perform tawaf of Baitullah".3

Umrah in Ramadan

Performing Umrah during Ramadan is most commendable and equal to Hajj in merit and excellence.4

Clarification: It is quite true that an Umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj and one can get the same rewards that are granted to one who performs a Hajj. But this act does not substitute the performance of Hajj which is Fard (imperative), once in a life time if one is financially and physically capable.

RULES FOR UMRAH

1.            Umrah is Sunnat Mu'akidah: Umrah is neither imperative (Fard) nor obligatory (wajib), but performing Umrah once in a life time is Sunnat Mu'akidah. However, once or more than once, whenever it is performed, it fetches great rewards.

2.            No Fixed Time: There is no fixed month, day or time for Umrah as it is for Hajj. As said earlier, it can be performed any time one desires.

3.            The Miqat for Umarh: The station of Ihram (Miqat) for Umrah is Hill for the residents of the Haram of Mecca and the people of Hill. As mentioned later, the area between the five appointed Miqats of Hajj and the bounds of the Haram of Mecca is called Hill. The Afaqis (outsiders) who come to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah should already be in Ihram before entering into Mecca. However, for subsequent Umrahs, even they have to go to Hill to put on Ihram. For this purpose, buses outside Bab Abdul Aziz of al-Haram take pilgrims to Masjid Aai'sha which is in Hill on Madinah Road at Tan'eem, not far from Mecca.

4.            The Rites of Umrah: The only rites of Umrah are:

o             Entering the state of Ihram

o             Tawaf of Ka'bah

o             Sa'yee between the hills of Safa and Marwah

o             Shaving or clipping of the hair

In Umrah, pilgrims do not go to Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa or throw pebbles on the Jamrahs (stone pillars representing devils) or offer animal sacrifice. These rites are performed during Hajj.

HOW TO PERFORM UMRAH

IHRAM FOR UMRAH AND ENTERING MASJID AL-HARAAM

1.            Ihram: You should be already in Ihram for Umrah before entering Mecca or as mentioned earlier, enter the state of Ihram at Masjid Ai'sha in Hill if it is your subsequent Umrah or if you are the resident of the Haram of Mecca or of Hill. If you are entering into Ihram now, the next step is to cover your head and offer two rak'ahs of nafl. Then uncover your head, intend to perform Umrah and proclaim Talbiyah three times and as often afterwards as possible. This starts all the restrictions of Ihram which are listed in the description of Hajj. You may review the complete procedure to enter into Ihram discussed earlier.

2.            Entering Masjid al-Haraam: While reciting Talbiyah, enter Masjid al-Haraam preferably through Bab as-Salam with right foot first. Supplicate to Allah and proceed towards Ka'bah. You may recite the following supplication which is usually used before entering a mosque:

Allah huma aftah li abwabe rahmate ka

3.            First Sight: At the first sight of Ka'bah, keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is suggested that you do the following:

             Say Allahu Akbar three times

             Say La Ilaha Illallah three times

             Proclaim Darud on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very humbly and with tears in your eyes supplicate to Allah for whatever you wish. This is a special time for the acceptance of prayers.

The idea is to praise and glorify your Creator before proclaiming Darud and supplications. Therefore, in lieu of Allahu Akbar and La Ilaha Illallah, you may recite some other similar holy verses if you so desire.

After this, while uttering Talbiyah, move forward to perform Tawaf of Ka'bah.

TAWAF OF UMRAH

Tawaf means circling around something . Here it means moving around Ka'bah seven times with extreme love and devotion.

1.            Preparation: Pass the upper sheet of Ihram from underneath the right arm and put it on the left shoulder. This act bares the right shoulder and is known as Iztaba. Ablutions (vudu) is essential for tawaf. Reciting of Talbiyah is stopped when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad, the starting point of tawaf.

2.            Niyyah (Intention): Stand in front of Ka'bah facing Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the whole Hajre-e-Aswad is on your right side. To achieve this end, you may get help from the black stripe on the floor. This stripe should be on your right side. Then without raising your hands make Niyyah (intention) for Umrah:

" O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

3.            Istilam: Now moving towards right, come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad and kiss it if possible, or touch it with a stick and kiss the stick; if that also is not possible, raise your hands to your ears keeping your open  palms towards Hajre-e-Aswad and say:

" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lilla Hil Hamd"

and drop your hands down. Now point the palms of your hands again towards Hajar-e-Aswad and kiss them. This act of kissing Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing towards it is called Istilam.

4.            Tawaf Starts: After Istilam, turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise.

WARNING

             The authorities often apply perfume to Hajar-e-Aswad, Rukn Yamani and Multazam. If so, do not touch them while in the state of Ihram, otherwise a dum will be required as a penalty.

             During tawaf, it is not permissible to face or turn your back towards Ka'bah except when you are kissing or pointing towards Hajar-e-Aswad.

5.            Ramal: For the first three circuits of Tawaf of Umrah and Tawaf of Arrival, men are required to move their shoulders and walk with quick short steps. This act is called Ramal and is Sunnah. They walk normally during the remaining four circuits.

6.            Supplications of Tawaf: There are no fixed supplications for tawaf but there are several recommended supplications listed in the books of Hajj and Umrah out of which the following supplication is easy to memorize:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billah."

If you don't remember these words, you may glorify Allah by repeatedly uttering:

Subhan Allah, Al-Hamdu lilla, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallah, etc.

The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) has said that there are two kalimahs that are light on tongue and (on the day of judgment) they weigh heavy on the scale (Mizan) and are liked by Allah. These kalimahs are:

Subhan Allah Wabe Hamde hi Subhan Allah Hil Azeem (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

You may also use supplications used in the daily Salah or you may seek forgiveness of Allah and ask Him whatever you wish in your own language.

7.            Hatim: Hatim is a semi-circular half-built portion which was originally a part of the Ka'bah but which could not be included in the main structure when the Ka'bah was rebuilt. It is obligatory to go around Hatim also while performing tawaf.

8.            Rukn Yamani and its Supplications: After passing the three corners of the Ka'bah you reach the fourth corner known as Rukn Yamani. Touch it with both hands or with right hand. There is a beautiful supplication to be used while walking between Rukn Yamani and Hajar-e-Aswad:

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin-nar."

Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has repeatedly recited this supplication. The first circuit is complete when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad.

9.            Seven Circuits: At Hajar-e-Aswad, start the second circuit by kissing it or pointing towards it as you started the first circuit, i.e., come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad, raise both hands to your ears with open palms towards it and say:

" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamd"

Now kiss both palms and drop your hands. After this go around Ka'bah as you did before and similarly complete the seven circuits.

10.          The End of Tawaf: At the end of seven circuits, do Istilam of Hajar-e- Aswad or point towards it eighth time which is Sunnat Mu'akidah. Also say:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

11.          Iztaba Finished : Now Iztaba is finished, therefore, you cover your both shoulders with upper portion of the Ihram sheet. This does not apply to women.

12.          Multazam: Now, come to Multazam which is a place five or six feet in length between Hajar-e-Aswad and the door of Ka'bah. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. Among a large crowd of people, if it is possible to reach Multazam, cling to it pressing your chest and cheeks, and while trembling and crying with devotion and with all humility seek Allah's mercy, His blessings and ask Him whatever you wish. If you are unable to come close to Multazam, just face towards it and supplicate from a distance.

13.          Maqam Ibrahim: Next offer two rakahs of nafls behind and close to Maqam Ibrahim without covering  your head. If it is zawal time when sajdah is not allowed, you have to wait till this undesirable time is passed and then offer prayers.

In the niyyah (intention), say that you are offering 2 rakahs of nafls wajib al- tawaf. Recite Qul ya ayya hal kafroon in the first rakah and Qulhu wallah in the second rakah. After this, supplicate to Allah in Arabic or in your own language. Ask Him whatever you wish and invoke His blessings.

If it is not possible to offer this obligatory prayer near Maqam Ibrahim, it can be offered anywhere in Mataf, or in Hatim or anywhere in Masjid al-Haraam or even at any place in Haram of Makkah.

14.          Zamzam: Now go to Zamzam well situated in the basement of the Haram about 200 feet from the Ka'bah's door. There are separate portions for men and women. Zamzam is the best available water in the world. Drink this water to fill while in standing position saying Bismillah. Then supplicate to Allah:

"Allahummah inni as'aluka ilm-an naafi'an wa rizqan waasi'an wa shifa'am min kulli daa'in."

(O Allah! I implore Thee for beneficial knowledge, for vast provisions, and for cure from every disease.)

 RULES FOR TAWAF OF UMRAH

1.            One should be in the state of Ihram before starting Tawaf.

2.            There are three conditions essential for Tawaf of Umrah and for all other kinds of Tawaf as well, namely:

a.            To be a Muslim

b.            Niyyah (intention)

c.             To perform Tawaf inside Masjid al-Haraam

Without niyyah, Tawaf is not valid. Tawaf can be performed in Mataf or on different floors of Masjid al-Haram or even on its roof.

3.            While performing Tawaf, one should not look towards Ka'bah. One has to face Ka'bah only when doing Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad.

4.            After completing the seven circuits of Tawaf, if someone deliberately starts the eighth circuit, it becomes obligatory (wajib) for him to complete the second Tawaf by doing six more circuits.

5.            Undesirable times for prayer are not considered undesirable for performing Tawaf.

6.            If someone has to discontinue Tawaf because of time for prescribed prayer or because a dead body is brought for a funeral prayer or need for fresh ablutions arises, he can later resume Tawaf at the point where he discontinued.

  

A CHEKLIST FOR OBLIGATORY (WAJIB) PARTS OF TAWAF

Tawaf is finished but here is a checklist to make sure that no obligatory part is missed.

1.            One should be free from the state of impurity and must have performed vudu (ablutions). The women are not allowed to perform Tawaf during their monthly period and during the impure state after childbirth.

2.            One should be properly dressed. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

"Nobody should go around the Ka'bah in a naked state." (Bukhari)

3.            To perform Tawaf on foot, performing Tawaf while riding is permissible only when one is unable to do so on foot.

4.            To start Tawaf from one's right side in the counter clockwise direction.

5.            To complete seven circuits of Tawaf.

6.            During Tawaf, to pass Hatim as well which is in fact a part of the Ka'bah.

7.            To start Tawaf from Hajar-e-Aswad.

8.            To offer two rakahs of nafls after each Tawaf. It is undesirable (Makrooh) to combine two Tawafs together and not to offer two rakahs of nafls in between.

9.            As Tawaf of Umrah is performed while in the state of Ihram, one has to observe all the prohibitions associated with this state.

     

SA'EY

The literal meaning of Sa'ey is to run or to make effort, but as a Hajj and Umrah term, Sa'ey denotes walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah which are situated to the south and north of the Ka'bah respectively. Now there are only signs of these hills and the whole route between them is enclosed in a long gallery.

Sa'ey has a historical background. Prophet Abraham left his wife Hazrat Hajra and infant son Hazrat Ismael in the wilderness of Makkah at the command of Allah. The mother and son lived for five days on the food and water they had. When the water was completely finished, the mother ran frantically seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah in

search of water for her son. Suddenly the fountain of Zamzam oozed miraculously near the feet of Hazrat Ismael. Sa'ey is included in the rites of Hajj and Umrah to commemorate this event of search and struggle.

RULES FOR SA'EY

1.            Sa'ey is obligatory (wajib) after the conclusion of the Tawaf and not before it.

2.            To be free from impurity is not obligatory (wajib) for Sa'ey, therefore, women during their monthly period can perform Sa'ey although they are not allowed to enter Masjid al-Haraam, offer Salat or perform Tawaf. They can enter the place of Sa'ey from the outside entrance.

But it is a Sunnah to be free from all types of impurity and be in the state of ablutions during Sa'ey.

3.            Sa'ey has seven trips and all are obligatory (wajib). But according to Maulana Khalil-ur-Rahman of Pakistan, the four trips are Fard and the remaining three are obligatory (wajib). Just remember all seven trips have to be completed.

4.            It is a Sunnah to start Sa'ey right after Tawaf but it is not obligatory (wajib). Therefore, if Sa'ey is delayed for some reason, there is no penalty.

5.            It is obligatory (wajib) to start Sa'ey from the hill of Safa and end at Marwah.

6.            It is obligatory to perform Sa'ey on foot unless somebody has an excuse when it can be performed by riding.

7.            During the Sa'ey of Umrah, it is obligatory to be in the state of Ihram. One should also be in Ihram for the Sa'ey performed after Tawaf of Arrival (Qudum), but it is a Sunnah to perform the Sa'ey after Tawaf of Visit (Ziyarah) in ordinary clothes.

8.            Sa'ey is performed only once during Hajj, either after Tawaf of Arrival (Qudum) or Tawaf of Visit (Ziyrah). But it is better to perform Sa'ey after Tawaf of Visit.

9.            It is a Sunnah to climb the hills of Safa and Marwah and raise hands for supplication, facing the Ka'bah.

10.          It is undesirable (Makrooh) to do business during Sa'ey, but one can talk if the need arises.

 HOW TO PERFORM SA'EY

1.            Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad. Before starting Sa'ey, do Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad again the ninth time or point towards it, saying:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamad."

Now Proceed towards Safa. It is a Sunnah to be in the state of ablutions during Sa'ey.

2.            Start of Sa'ey at Safa. Climb the hill of Safa and make intention (niyyah) for Sa'ey:

" O Allah! I perform Sa'ey between Safa and Marwah to please You. Make it easy for me

and accept it from me."

Now recite:

"Inn-as-Safa wal-Marwah min Sha'a'irillah."

(Al-Qur'an 2 : 158)

(Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the Signs of Allah.)

After this climb Safa to the point from where you can see the Ka'bah, then facing the Ka'bah raise your hands in supplication, say Allahu Akbar three times and recite the following supplication or ask Allah whatever you wish:

"La ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la Sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa ala kulli shai'in Qadeer."

If you don't remember this, you may use the supplication recited earlier during Tawaf:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

3.            Proceed towards Marwah. Come down from Safa and move towards Marwah while reciting this supplication:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billa."

If you don’t remember this supplication also, recite Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, Allahu Akbar repeatedly and keep moving. You may also praise Allah and ask for His mercy in your language or use supplications taken from the daily Salah. When you reach two green pillars, men have to run between them but the women should walk with their normal pace.

4.            At Marwah. When on top of Marwah, praise Allah facing the ka'bah and repeat the same supplications that were recited at Safa. One trip is over, second trip will be on Safa and third trip will be on Marwah.

5.            End of Sa'ey. In the same way, the seventh trip will end at Marwah. In all trips the men will run between the green pillars but the women will walk in a normal way.

6.            Two raka'at Nafl. If it is not an undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two raka'ats of nafl in the al-Haram.

7.            Shaving or clipping of hair. After Sa'ey, men should get their heads completely shaved or get their hair clipped to the length of the upper third of their finger or a little more. Both shaving and clipping are permissible for men, though shaving is preferable. Women are, however, allowed to have a lock of their hair clipped. They are forbidden to shave their heads.

8.            Umrah is complete. After cutting the hair, umrah is complete. The restrictions of Ihram are finished. Now wear your everyday clothes and lead a normal life. Be thankful to Allah that He provided the opportunity for performing Umrah and lead rest of your life according to the commands of your Creator.

NAFL TAWAF

You may perform Umrah as often as you want according to the above procedure. And if you want to perform just a nafl Tawaf, follow the same procedure, however, in a nafl Tawaf there is no Ihram, no Ramal, no Iztaba and even no Sa'ey.

               

Khaleequr Rahman: Khaleequr Rahman performs Umrah

Khaleequr Rahman: Khaleequr Rahman performs Umrah: "Khaleequr Rahman in front of the holy Kaaba tulah shariff Khaleequr Rahman, senior Congress Leader reached Jeddah on 24th July 2011 and aft..."

Khaleequr Rahman performs Umrah

Khaleequr Rahman in front of the holy Kaaba tulah shariff

Khaleequr Rahman, senior Congress Leader reached Jeddah on 24th July 2011 and after halting for sometime at Jeddah, proceeded to Meccah Mukarrama and performed Umrah. He prayed for the well being, health, safety and prosperity of all the brothers and sisters and especially for the people of Andhra Pradesh and India. He was given the rousing welcome by the Hyderabadis on his arrival at the Jeddah airport.

Khaleequr Rahman: Indians want OBAMA again in 2012

Khaleequr Rahman: Indians want OBAMA again in 2012: "President Obama with Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh When Barack Obama proclaimed, 'I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bri..."

Indians want OBAMA again in 2012

President Obama with Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh

When Barack Obama proclaimed, "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington . I'm asking you to believe in yours", then not only his parents but also the whole of America was proud of Barack Obama. They knew that only a true son of America could speak such words. A son who believed in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain. A son who cared. Cared for global warming, cared for ethics reform, cared to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised,  cared for the poverty exposed by Katrina, cared to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century, cared to boldly stand up and chalk out a way to resolve these pressing issues and that conviction and belief in a man saw him become the President of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the very young age of just 47 years.

It is not easy to recall where another  international leader touching millions of hearts of Indians in the way President Obama has done. For a country, where politics is a national passion, every Indian has enthusiastically followed every twist and turn in Obama's historic journey to the White House. A stronger relationship and a close strategic partnership with India has been the top priority of Obama's administration.

President Obama meeting Indian Youth Icon Rahul Gandhi

America has forever been considered as the land of opportunities. The land where you can begin with a hole in your pocket and yet become a billionaire capitalizing on the opportunities that it offers. The land where dreams are seen with open eyes, and realized with nerves of steel and courage of lions. This promised land of enterprise has witnessed many immigrants from many countries. British, African, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and other immigrants from all around the world have come and made America their home. They have made the American diaspora into a rich conglomeration of varied cultures and practices. It is because of such international fusion that America is today the leading country of the world. In shaping this position of world leadership, Indians residing in America, better known as Indian Americans, have played an important part.

Today Indian Americans comprise 0.9% of the U.S. population with a figure of 2,662,112 (http://factfinder.census.gov/). Regions with significant American Indian populations are New Jersey, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington-Baltimore. The languages spoken are American English, Indian languages most commonly Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, and Punjabi. The religions followed are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Atheism, Agnosticism, Christianity, and others. As per the The Indian American Centre for Political Awareness, Indians along with other Asians, have one of the highest educational qualifications of all ethnic groups in the US. Almost 67% of all Indians have a bachelor's or high degree (compared to 28% nationally and 44% average for all Asian American groups). Almost 40% of all Indians in the United States have a master's, doctorate or other professional degree, which is five times the national average.

Like sugar merges indistinguishably with milk and sweetens it, similarly Indian Americans have merged into and sweetened the American community. They have not only actively participated in all the fields but have also excelled in them. Notable Indian Americans are Bobby Jindal (former U.S. Congressman and current Governor of Louisiana; Republican), Dalip Singh Saund (the first Indian-American congressman, was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California), Kal Penn (Actor of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Superman Returns), M. Night Shyamalan (Filmmaker, actor), Kalpana Chawla (female NASA Space Shuttle astronaut, and space shuttle mission specialist), Sunita Williams (NASA astronaut and the second woman of Indian descent to head into space), Amartya Sen (Nobel laureate in economics and currently the Lamont University Professor at Harvard University), Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (Nobel laureate in physics and an Indian born American astrophysicist), Reverend Bernard Malik ( President FIACONA/ International Council of Evangelical Churches) Balamurali Ambati (physician and world's youngest doctor at age 17), Sabeer Bhatia (co-founder of Hotmail), Vinod Dham (former microprocessor designer for Intel and creator of the Pentium processor), Rajat Gupta (former Managing Director, mckinsey & Company), Indra Nooyi (CEO of pepsico), Shantanu Narayen (the current CEO of Adobe Systems), Vikram Pandit (CEO of Citigroup), Arun Sarin (CEO of Vodafone Inc.), Deepak Chopra (author and speaker), Jhumpa Lahiri (Pulitzer Prize-winning author), Fareed Zakaria (editor of Newsweek), K.A. Paul (founder of the Global Peace Initiative), Reverend Kiran Sankhla (the first female Hindu chaplain in the U.S.), Ravi Zacharias (Evangelical Protestant author and apologetic), Rajan Zed (Hindu chaplain to read first Hindu prayer in United States Senate), Mohini Bhardwaj (first Indian American Olympic medallist, gymnastics), and The Great Khali (WWE Pro Wrestler), Mr.Ifteqar Shareef, First Dual Citizen of India to name a few.

Indian Americans continue to contribute their respective skills and try their utmost to help America retain its global leadership in all spheres of human learning and human endeavor.

Both the governments of the United States and India, are building on shared interests and values so that purposeful actions may be implemented thus enabling both the countries to come closer and closer. India's emergence as a global power is welcomed by the United States and India accepts that the bilateral relations thus forged, shall indeed help in shaping a prosperous, free, and a safe world for the coming century.

Ifteqar Shareef with President Obama

And the Indians and the American Indians Want Obama back in 2012 as President of USA. The Indian community has always been politically very pro-active in the US politics. The city of Chicago has a special place for Indians and more so for Hyderabadis and this being the city of Obama, it is close to his heart and so are the people of Chicago. Obama has deep roots in Chicago, having started his career as a Community Organiser in the city. From his days as Illinio's senetor, he has had strong links with the city's growing Indian American community. I take pride in mentioning the name of Mr.Ifteqar Shareef, a Hyderabadi, who has been involved in the active campaign of Obama and shares a very close rapport with the President.

Khaleequr Rahman with Ms.Katherine S. Dhanani-Consulate General of USA, Hyd

I wish all the very best to President Obama for 2012 campaign and I feel privileged on being a contributor and supporter to his campaign in terms of ideas and the suggestions which are always acknowledged by his campaign managers.  

Khaleequr Rahman: Moradabad Calm but Tensed

Khaleequr Rahman: Moradabad Calm but Tensed: "The incident of desecration of Holy Quran led to the uneasy clam with tension palpable in the air prevailed in the villages of Moradabad a..."

Moradabad Calm but Tensed

The incident of desecration of Holy Quran led to the uneasy clam with tension palpable in the air prevailed in the villages of Moradabad affected with violence. People mainly the women and children from the villages have fled from their houses. Only the voices of boots of paramilitary forces and PAC break the silence in these villages. The cattles of the poor villagers have been left to fend for themselves with their owners leaving them at the mercy of God.

On hearing the news of the incident the cricketer turned politician Mohammed Azharuddin, an M.P. from Moradabad rushed to Moradabad from Delhi but was not allowed to enter the Moradabad and was detained in the circuit house under arrest. On the contrary, on the second day of the violence in Moradabad, state minister Haji Akbar Hussain and MP Shafeequr Rehman Barq was allowed to visit the district hospital where the injured have been admitted. As it happens after most of the riots where Muslims are at the receiving end, the minister blamed the opposition for the flaring up of the tension leading to a free for all situation in the area. "I and Barq saheb had words with district administration after the incident and the officials had agreed that they will register a case in Asalat Nagar Bagha village incident. A written complaint by the victim whose girl was allegedly teased was also taken by the officials but some opposition spoiled the whole atmosphere," he told local media on Thursday. As per him, provocative speeches were delivered with an appeal to come out on road. "The hoardings highlighting government's achievements became the first target which shows that the issue has been politically motivated," he claimed. Mr.Akber is considered as a sarkari musalmaan and it is quite unfortunate that when incidents like desecration of Holy Quran has happened, all the muslim leaders should have risen above their political affiliations and in one voice should have condemned the entire incident rather than pleasing their political bosses. It is a shameful act on part of both Haji Akber Hussain and Sambhal MP Shafeequr Rahman Barq that such an important incident has been taken so lightly by these two sarkari gentlemen. When they had gone there after the second day of the incident, they should have invited the Moradabad MP Azharuddin.

However, Akbar's appeal that people should show restraint and not believe the rumours spread by the opposition leaders is not going down well with the local residents. "We can tolerate anything but not the desecration of Holy Quran," said a villager on not being named.

The topographical description of the area is that the affected village Asalat Nagar Bagha is surrounded by several villages situated on Moradabad-Sambhal road. These villages have a sizeable population of Muslims with most of them engaged in transport business. Some of them serve as driver, cleaner on trucks while the well-offs own trucks. Even the trucks which are owned by Hindus are driven by Muslim drivers and they park their vehicle in their villages. On any normal day, close of 5000-6000 trucks some big enough having 16 tyres ply from these villages. The biggest village in this area is Dingarpur which is the biggest in the whole Kundarki area. The area comes under Mainather police station. On Thursday, this village also remained aloof with the routine rattling noice of truck absent from the air. Bustling with activity at all times, the village depicted a picture befitting an abandoned locality. Under the Maya’s raj, the UP specially the muslim dominated areas have turned into the police ruled areas where the people are harassed and tortured daily by the police on some pretext or the other. I get atleast five to six calls a day from Moradabad’s different areas from the poor people complaining against the police’s high handedness. I have spoken many a times with the DIG and the concerned Thanas. The people who have worked for the congress party during 2009 elections are being specifically targeted by the local BSP MLA’s and with their revengeful attitude making the police as a tool to harass and torture them by  implicating them in false cases.  Locals narrate the incident that on Wednesday no one has imagined that the situation can flare up to such an extent. Police had actually conducted a raid on an accused's house in village Asalat Nagar Bagha.

Incident of vandalism, misbehaviour with women folks and above all desecration of Holy Quran was reported during the police raid. As a protest, the villagers came out from their houses and blocked the Moradabad-Sambhal road. Soon a police-villagers (Muslims) clash began. Mainather Kotwali was the first target in which the jeep of SHO was torched. The next target was Deengarpur Kotwali, a PAC truck was consigned to flames. DIG Ashok Kumar was injured while police ran for cover.

The second round began when the police force of whole Moradabad division was summoned. They all descended on these villages. The aftermath was same as it happens after police-public violence. PAC took the command and policemen reached every house, broke the doors and thrashed brutally anyone who was present. Adjoining villages as Gurer, Asadpur, Lalwara, Rasoolpur, Hameer, Fatehpur Khas and Malookpur also became target of the security forces. After the unfortunate night, next morning on Thursday villagers fled from their houses. Even the adjoining villages which are at some distance remained silent and no one came out on the road.

On Thursday the aftershock of Moradabad was felt in adjoining areas as Sambhal. Muslims took out a protest march in Sambhal and there was complete bandh in Sambhal and Saraitareen which is another Muslim dominated locality. The call for bandh was given by Shaher Imam Mufti Zameer Hussain aka Maulana Naushe. A protest march was taken out from Nakhasa crossing which passed through the city. Fear, tension and anger was evident in the protestors and they demanded action against the guilty.

As per the government's reaction from state capital Lucknow senior police officials including special DG Brijlal took stock of the situation. An IPS officer Neelesh Kumar has been specially dispatched to Moradabad to manage the situation. Video recording from media have been sought and police is identifying the elements who instigated the violence. On the ground level, there is hardly any one left in the villages representing a mass exodus situation. Those who are left behind are more worried about saving their life than daily necessities as milk, bread etc. This is Maya Jaal.

Khaleequr Rahman: COVAan NGO is doing a great job

Khaleequr Rahman: COVAan NGO is doing a great job: "COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations) is an NGO based in Hyderabad headed by dynamic and dashing Dr.Mazhar Hussain . COVA is a ..."

Khaleequr Rahman: The Life of Faiz saheb and his contributions to Ur...

Khaleequr Rahman: The Life of Faiz saheb and his contributions to Ur...: "Faiz Ahmed Faiz does not need an introduction. Urdu speaking masses knows him very well. He is remembered for his courage, ethics, and Urd..."

Khaleequr Rahman: Aiwan-e-Shaji

Khaleequr Rahman: Aiwan-e-Shaji: "Prince Shahamat Jah Bahadur Aiwan-e-Shaiji was founded about eighteen years back by Prince Nawab Mir Shahamat Jah Bahadur in the fond and l..."

Aiwan-e-Shaji

Prince Shahamat Jah Bahadur

Aiwan-e-Shaiji was founded about eighteen years back by Prince Nawab Mir Shahamat Jah Bahadur in the fond and loving memory of his father Prince Mauzam Jah Bahadur Shaji. Prince Mauzam Jah Bahadur Shaji is the son of Nizam the VII. Prince Mauzam Jah Bahadur is also popularly known as Shaji. Shaji was his taqallus. He was a great poet besides being a great human being. His love for the urdu language and the poetry made Prince Shaji a great poet himself. His poetry reflects the pain of losing the dynasty and the subsequent coping up with the changes that were made part of life as a matter of destiny. He never compromised on his principles and the self respect and till his last breath lived his life on his terms and has always spread the very strong message of royalty with a commoner. He always treated hindus and muslims as his two eyes.

Prince Shahmat Jah reading his kalaam. Seen in the Pic are Khaleequr Rahman, Jb Aslam Farshori, Janab Raees Akhter saheb and others

Prince Shahamat Jah Bahadur is carrying on the legacy of his great father Prince Mauzam Jah Bahadur Shaji and inspite of his very busy schedule, he makes it a point to hold the exclusive mushairas in Aiwan e Shaji every quarter. My father Late Janab Khaleelur Rahman saheb M.P. was associated with Aiwa-e-Shahji since its inception. He has patronised Aiwan-e-Shaji alongwith Janab Asif Pasha saheb former Law Minister and Dr.Syed Abdul Mannan saheb.

                            Mohd.Khaleelur Rahman saheb Ex-M.P and Patron Aiwan-e-Shaji

As per the traditions of the Aiwan-e-Shaji, an exclusive Mushaira was held on July 4, 2011 at Aiwan-e-Shaji which was attended by the invited audience and the poets. The Mushiara started at about 8.00 PM with the lighting of the Shama by the founder of Aiwan-e-Shaji Prince Shahmat Jah Bahadur. The Chief Guest for the Mushaira was Janab Noorul Haq Quadri, former Chairman, Urdu Academy. The Mushaira was covered by the Doordarshan Hyderabad and was shown on July 8th at 6.00 Pm and repeat telecast at 12.00 P.M. again. The eminent personalities such as Janab Imtiaz Ali Taj saheb, Dy.Director Dorrdarshan, Janab Zia Quadri, Publisher Rashtriya Sahara, Khaleequr Rahman, Senior Congress Leader, Janab Salahuddin Nayyar, eminent poet attended as the Chief Guests.

Prince Shahmat Jah Bahadur, Khaleequr Rahman, NorrulHaq Quadri and Raees Akhter

The Mushaira started with the royal traditions and the eminent poets who attended and said their kalaam included Janab Raees Akhter saheb, Janab Salahuddin Nayyar saheb, Janab Aslam Farshori, Janab Saleem Abidi saheb, Janab Masroor abidi, Janab Farooq Arifi, Janab Zia Quadri saheb, Janab Tayyab Quadri and others.



Khaleequr Rahman: The Life of Faiz saheb and his contributions to Ur...

Khaleequr Rahman: The Life of Faiz saheb and his contributions to Ur...: "Faiz Ahmed Faiz does not need an introduction. Urdu speaking masses knows him very well. He is remembered for his courage, ethics, and Urd..."

The Life of Faiz saheb and his contributions to Urdu Language

Faiz Ahmed Faiz does not need an introduction. Urdu speaking masses knows him very well. He is remembered for his courage, ethics, and Urdu poetry. The truth is that the masses can never value people like him enough. However, the name of Faiz Ahmed Faiz is immortal in the annals of history now due to his contributions to the Urdu language and the society in general.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was born in a small village near Sialkot in 1911. He was born in a very noble family. Following the traditions of the noble families of those times, Faiz was first sent to a religious institution for basic religious education. His formal education did not begin until he was 10 years old. Faiz was born to a very loving family. In his autobiography, he shared the details of his first day at school. Faiz was dressed in his best clothes and accessories. His sisters made up his hair. He was sent to school with a servant and in the best of the pull carts available at home.

From his early childhood, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was an ardent Urdu reader. In fact, he loved the Urdu poetry. Faiz Ahmed Faiz was only in the 10^th standard when he wrote some excellent Urdu verses. Although the quality of the verses was, good but one of his mentors told him that it would be better for the quality and scope of his Urdu poetry if he waits for some years before attempting at the poetry again.

Therefore, Faiz Ahmed Faiz did not write anything up until the completion of his education. Faiz Ahmed Faiz was an excellent student. He did masters in Arabic. He also did masters in English literature. In his masters exam once Faiz's teacher awarded him with 120 marks out of 100. When someone asked him that why he awarded a student 120 marks out of hundred; he simply replied, "Because I could not give more!" Such was the extent of Faiz's expertise in English language. Nevertheless, it did not make him break ties with Urdu.

Faiz's language of choice, Urdu  is associated not with any specific province, but with the Mughal courts of the 18th century, where it gained royal patronage as a literary language.  Faiz excelled at the love poetry,  his love poems are immediately expressive and abound in fabulous images, with flashes of forbidden love, particularly poignant in societies where people are killed for romantic liaisons even today.

Even his harshest protest poems are nuanced with a wider kind of love and longing. His signature works in free verse also employ the specific devices of a split voice or the idea of divided love, in which romantic passion transforms, often without warning, into a tormented love of humanity; from a soporific romantic trope into an unsparing picture of harrowing poverty, unbearable loss and self-obsessed leadership. Yet Faiz very rarely sacrificed lyricism for rhetorical effect.

Unlike the people of those times, Faiz chose to marry by choice. He married Elis Faiz, a very noble French woman. Elis Faiz proved to be an extremely good and understanding wife. She spent most of her life in Pakistan, even after Faiz's death. She was fluent in spoken Urdu. Elis and Faiz had two daughters, Muneeza and Saleema Hashmi. Both of them are popular personalities today.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz spent a lot of time in prison too in different eras of different rulers. In total, Faiz Ahmed Faiz spent 9 years in prison. In the times of prison, Faiz produced some excellent poetry.

Faiz was the first Asian poet to receive the Lenin Peace Prize, awarded by the Soviet Union in 1963. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize shortly before his death in 1984.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a great man. People like him are born in centuries. He will be always remembered for standing up against tyrant rulers, and for his contributions to the Urdu language.

Hazaron saal nargis apni bay noori pe roti hai

Bari mushkil se hota hai Chaman me deedawar Paida

                                                               Khaleequr Rahman