Pilgrimage through Haj panel limited to once in life

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Express news service :Mumbai, Jan 23 2013, 04:03 IST

The Centre has decided to restrict the number of Haj pilgrimages for Muslims through Haj Committee to one in a life time.

There will, however, be no restriction on private visits. Till now, Muslims could undertake the trip once in five years.

There have been rising complaints that the same set of people make the pilgrimage over and over again through Haj Committee, which subsidises travel. The committee pays national carrier Air India (AI) to ferry Haj pilgrims.

Muslim bodies have been repeatedly seeking removal of the subsidy saying AI benefits more from it than Muslim pilgrims. The state has claimed the move is to provide the benefit of subsidy to applicants who have never performed Haj.

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Reader's Comments (1)| Post a Comment

Good decision

S.A.Samad | 23-Jan-2013Reply | Forward

Good decision by Govt of INdia.Only the First time Haj is the Farz and all subsequent ones cann%u2019t be equivalent to the first one. Generally,Haj is afforded by the middle and Upper middle class sections which is very miniscule in the Muslims.Those opting to 2nd and more time Haj can put the same money for the development of the community on education and livelihood promotion or help in poor girl's marriages which gives them the same sawab of Haj and get twin benefit of performing the Haj and promoting a family or a community. Having government door shut for second timers, those opting go through private travels should choose to spend the money on those vital aspects of the community which gets them the same sawab and also do good to the community. Let's discourage redoing of HAJ,last pillar as hoards of Muslims are bereft of first four pillars of Islam ie Kalima,Namaz,Roza and Zakat .Let us encourage the rich ones for promote above young age as with active life do good