Push for Haj model minus subsidy
New Delhi, June 19: Muslim leaders and clerics led by a Congress MP today sought Pranab Mukherjee's intervention to implement a Malaysian model for Haj that relies on savings by prospective pilgrims.
The move came less than a month after the Supreme Court ordered the phase-out of Haj subsidies within 10 years in a verdict welcomed by Muslim leaders.
Congress Rajya Sabha member K. Rahman Khan, who led the delegation that met the finance minister, had demanded scrapping of the subsidies as convener of a working group of Muslim MPs four years ago.
Today, the leaders also attended a conference on Haj where speakers held up as an example Tabung Haji, the Malaysian model that is also the name of a financial institution in which prospective pilgrims of that country save money. The funds are invested in "Islamic, Shariat-compliant" assets.
Richard Azlan Abas, the chief of Tabung Haji, attended the conference and promised "all assistance" if the Indian government asked for it.
Khan said Mukherjee was impressed with the plan. "We told him there should be an institutional mechanism like Malaysia's Tabung Haji. This concept will help prospective Haj pilgrims to save money for their trip."
Kamal Farooqui, an All India Muslim Personal Law Board member and a Samajwadi Party leader, also welcomed the idea. "This is the best option for the government to make Haj efficient and provide better facilities to the pilgrims."
The Centre provides around Rs 38,800 for each pilgrim, spending Rs 685 crore annually. Much of the subsidy goes to Air India. The trip costs over Rs 1 lakh per head.
Push for Haj model minus subsidy