Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, former union minister of India and chairman of the long-term pilgrim accommodation selection committee, with Dr. Nasir Al-Zahrani, general supervisor of the Assalamu Alaika Ayyuha Annabiyyu project, during their meeting in Makkah on Saturday. — SG photo by Abdul Rahman M. Baig

 

Shams Ahsan

Saudi Gazette

 

MAKKAH — Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, former union minister of India who is visiting Saudi Arabia as chairman of the long-term pilgrim accommodation selection committee, toured an exhibition-cum-museum on the life and times of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah on Saturday.



He invited Dr. Nasir Al-Zahrani, general supervisor of the Assalamu Alaika Ayyuha Annabiyyu project, to open a branch of the Prophet (pbuh) museum in India.



"You have done a great service to the Muslim Ummah through your research on the life and times of the Prophet (pbuh). I invite you to open a branch of this museum in India, which has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia," Shahnawaz told Al-Zahrani during a meeting at the headquarters of the project.



Al-Zahrani, who has written a 500-volume encyclopedia on the Prophet (pbuh) drawing from the Holy Qur'an and authentic Ahadith (traditions of the Prophet), said he would love to have a branch of the museum in India, and pointed out that he drew inspiration from many Indian Muslim scholars during his seven-year research work.



The Prophet (pbuh) project, which also has a TV channel, is planning to open 20 branches of the museum all over the world. It already has a branch in Dubai.



The museum, situated in Makkah's Al-Nassem District, offers a unique experience to visitors as it uses modern technology to throw light on the life and times of the Prophet (pbuh).



Those who accompanied Shahnawaz included general manager of an engineering consultancy firm Adnan Zagzoog, community leader Syed Shariq Ali, executive secretary of the Saudi-Indian Business Network Mir Ghazafar Ali Zaki and its general secretary Syed Majeedul Hassan.



Earlier, Shahnawaz met Deputy Minister of Haj Hussein Al-Sharief. He was accompanied by Abdul Rasheed Ansari, member of the long-term accommodation committee, Consul General of India B.S. Mubarak, CEO Haj Committee of India Attaur Rahman and Deputy Consul General and Consul Haj Noor Rahman Sheikh.



Shahnawaz discussed various issues with the deputy minister of Haj and also requested an increase in quota for Indian pilgrims. He also requested the minister to re-consider the decision to permit Haj Mission offices in Makkah to operate only for four months in a year and allow it to operate throughout the year to facilitate the hiring of good quality buildings for pilgrims and to take care of pilgrims who visit the Kingdom.