Author: Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: December 2, 2005
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/02/stories/2005120219670700.htm
The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul
Ali, in a press release said the "Union Government's subsidy for Haj
pilgrims is not correct and appropriate, according to the tenets of Islam."
He wondered why a Haj pilgrim should avail of it.
According to Nawab Abdul Ali, the Haj pilgrimage
is one of the obligatory duties of a Muslim who can afford it.
"Let not the community sacrifice values,
principles and rules of Islam for petty financial benefits," observed
the Prince. "If the Government really wants to help the Muslims let the
equal subsidy amount he used for the community's constructive and meaningful
welfare measures."
Reacting to newspaper reports that the Union
Government has decided to allow the Haj pilgrims to carry $ 10,000, as basic
travel quota, in addition to 2,000 Saudi Riyals, Nawab Abdul Ali said the
move means an annual outflow of foreign exchange to the tune of 1,000 million
dollars for one lakh pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosques at Makkah and Madinah.
"This is not at all required if a Muslim
is really interested to perform the obligatory duty, Haj," he commented.
"If the pilgrims are so rich, why take the Government's Haj subsidy?
The Haj is not a luxury trip or picnic."
