HYDERABAD: The last rites of the 46 Umrah pilgrims — 45 from Hyderabad — who died in the bus accident near Medina on November 17 were performed in the holy city on Saturday.Telangana minority welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin, who was in Medina with minority welfare secretary B Shafiullah and AIMIM legislator Majid Hussain, said all religious formalities were “completed with great care and honour in one of the purest and most sacred places in Islam.” Funeral prayers were offered at Masjid-e-Nabawi after Namaz-e-Zuhar, followed by burial at Jannat al-Baqi, one of Islam’s holiest graveyards. The rites were delayed by a day due to pending documentation for some of the deceased and logistical issues. The Telangana government, which announced 5 lakh ex gratia for each bereaved family, facilitated the travel of two relatives for every victim to Saudi Arabia. Azharuddin said arrangements for transportation, food and accommodation were made for all visiting relatives, while some travelled on their own. A total of 38 family members are currently in Saudi Arabia and will return to Hyderabad on November 27 after completing all formalities. Among them is Imran Sharif, nephew of Naseeruddin (70), who lost 17 family members. “The last rites were completed in presence of 13 of our family members. I reached Medina on Thursday; I didn’t travel with the group of 35,” he said.Rizwan Ahmed, who lost five family members including his mother and brother, said, “We are now waiting for any other additional formalities that need to be done.” The accident — one of the worst involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in recent years — left several families shattered. Authorities said they will be in touch with Saudi officials for any further support needed.
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