Umrah bus accident victims laid to rest in sacred graveyard Jannat-ul-Baqi in Medina

Hyderabad

The Umrah accident victims from Hyderabad were laid to rest in the Jannat ul Baqi graveyard in Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

The namaz-e-janaaza (funeral prayer) was led by Shaykh Abdul Bari al-Thubaiti, the family of the accident-victims, and the Telangana delegation comprising Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin, Nampally legislator Mohammed Majid Hussain and Secretary for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Shafiullah.

The bodies were then taken to Jannat-ul-Baqi, one of the oldest Islamic burial spaces, which gains significance as members of Prophet Muhammad’s family, and companions are buried there. It is in close proximity to the Masjid al Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque).

The scenes that unfolded were “deeply emotional”, said those who were present at the prayer. “Families of those who died were there. People lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters. It is difficult to explain. The mood was solemn, and everybody was in tears. It has been a couple of hours since the burial, and my hands are still shaking,” a source who travelled from Hyderabad, and requested that he remain anonymous, said.

Mr. Azharuddin, who is in Saudi Arabia to coordinate the process, in a video message explained the process of burials. He said that the bodies were laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqi after taking requisite clearances from the Saudi authorities.

The Telangana government, he said, had requested, and diligently followed up on burials at Jannat-ul-Baqi, who he said was considered sacred by Muslims across the world. The Minister added that he had met family members who travelled to Medina and expressed gratitude to officials and volunteers who assisted with the arrangements.

Mr. Azharuddin thanked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and said that the government acted swiftly soon after after the accident. Travel and accommodation for the families were arranged on the instructions of Mr. Reddy. He said that the Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan, and the Indian Mission, had worked tirelessly, and round the clock to coordinate the arrival of family of the victims, to arrange for the food and accommodation, as well as communicating with the local authorities. He said that the Saudi authorities had cooperated, and extended all possible support.

The family of the victims are expected to stay in that country so that they can perform umrah rituals. They will be taken to Mecca, and then flown back to Hyderabad. They are likely to return next week.