The Telangana State Minorities Welfare Department has made special arrangements for prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid and other mosques in Hyderabad for the holy month of Ramzan. These arrangements aim to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for worshippers.
Mosques across the city have been prepared to accommodate large gatherings, especially for the special Taraweeh prayers, which begin on Saturday night. Fasting will start on Sunday morning, depending on the moon sighting. Mecca Masjid, a 16th-century mosque, is a significant religious site and attracts thousands of visitors during this sacred time.
Since Ramzan is expected to be particularly hot this year, air coolers have been installed in many mosques. Some mosques that generate revenue have also arranged for air conditioning. Additionally, decorative lighting and tents (shamiyanahs) have been set up to provide shade for worshippers.
The state government has instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted electricity and water supply, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. The police have also put security measures in place to maintain peace throughout the month.
To further support the community, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has started road repairs and sanitation work near mosques. The Water Board has arranged for a steady water supply through tankers.
A coordination meeting was held at Mecca Masjid on February 17, where officials from various government departments discussed the necessary preparations. Although the repair budget was set at over Rs 3 crore, actual work began on Monday.
Officials attending the meeting included Tafseer Iqbal, Special Secretary of Telangana State Minorities Welfare Department, Yasmeen Basha, Director of Minorities Welfare, and Mir Zulfiqar Ali, MLA of Charminar, among others.
According to Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui, Superintendent of Mecca Masjid, over 5,000 people are expected to attend the Taraweeh prayers during the first ten days of Ramzan. Preparations include refurbishing carpets and cleaning and refilling the water Houz.
Maulana Hafeez Rizwan Qureshi, Khateeb of Mecca Masjid, will recite three chapters of the Quran every night during the Taraweeh prayers, which will begin after the sighting of the new moon.
Apart from Mecca Masjid, arrangements have also been made at other major mosques, including Shahi Masjid Bagh-e-Aam (Public Garden), which sees over 3,000 worshippers each night. Similar preparations have been completed at Chiran Fort Mosque in Jubilee Hills, Jamia Masjid Musheerabad, Jamia Masjid Secunderabad, Jamia Masjid Aiwan-E-Begumpet, Hayat Bakshi Begum Masjid in Hayathnagar, Jamia Masjid Mahboob Chowk, and Jamia Masjid Afzalgunj.
