Hyderabad: As the first batch of Haj pilgrims left the other day amidst chants of Labbaik Allahuma Labbaik ..., his eyes turned moist. Neither he was seeing off his family, nor was he one of the onlookers thronging the Haj House. Mr Konduri Mahesh is part of Telangana State Haj Committee (TSHC) staff helping for hassle-free departure of pilgrims from Hyderabad. And interestingly, he is the only non Muslim member of the TSHC.
Mahesh has been serving the Haj pilgrims for more than two decades. He knows more about Haj than many first-time pilgrims. His fluent Urdu and knowledge of rituals connected with Haj is surprising. Many pilgrims do a double take when they learn his name. But this 40-year-old has got used to it. “I am very comfortable working in the Haj committee. Serving the guests of Allah gives utmost satisfaction,” says Mahesh who is in the computer section of TSHC.
It was in 1997 that he joined the Haj committee as a temporary staff and in 2011 his employment was regularised. Initially he was selected for the post of a home guard and later as a constable. But by some twist of fate, he landed in a different job. “My knowledge of computers made the authorities post me in the Haj co-mmittee,” says Mahesh.
Before he joined the committee, he knew nothing about Haj or its significance. Now he knows everything about the fifth pillar of Islam. Being part of the Haj orientation camps held every year, he has gained immense knowledge. He lists the rituals pilgrims are supposed to perform at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah in Saudi Arabia as part of the five-day Haj. Some-times he even guides pilgrims how to wear Ihram, the unstitched two-piece cloth pilgrims drape around their bodies.
At a time when the people are being divided in the name of religion, Mahesh serves as a fine example of communal harmony. He has no problem with his Muslim colleagues or serving the cause of a different faith.
