The move will reduce the number of Pakistani pilgrims from 180,000 to 144,000. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI:
Saudi Arabia has reduced the Hajj quota for the pilgrims from the Muslim world by 20 per cent due to the ongoing expansion project of the Masjid-e-Haram. The move will reduce the number of Pakistani pilgrims from 180,000 to 144,000. The Saudi government has already reduced the Umrah quota.
The ministry of religious affairs has already distributed the Hajj quota and the Hajj organizers have also made arrangements for the residence and provision of other facilities to the pilgrims. The Chairman of Hajj Organisers Committee Abdul Razzaq and former Chairperson Nadeem Sharif expressed concern over the decision and said this would cause problems to the pilgrims as well as Hajj organisers.
Razzaq demanded that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif take the matter up with the Saudi government and use his personal contacts with the Saudi Royal Family to get the quota restored.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2013.
COMMENTS (9)
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^Exactly i agree with you Sir. There should be system to sort out the Hajj applicants and hence prioritizing those who haven't performed Hajj before.
Any one who has never gone for Hajj before should be given preference on those Hajis who want to called themselves as "Al-Haaj".
@Cobra Commander: ": Non Muslime were allowed to visit Makkah till the start of 20th century. The practice was discontinued by the current rulers of Saudi Arabia. "
This is false. Non-muslims have not been allowed within the boundaries of the two cities for centuries, not just the area of the mosque.
Source: Richard Burton (Mid 19th century) Ludovico di Varthema (Early 16th century)
When Islam has allowed people to do multiple hajj and umra then it must not end. Offcourse there can be a trime frame set for it.
Hajj brings a huge income for saudi arabia from the pre-islamic times. This income should be distributed among the poor islamic countries.
@Prof. Shahid Mobeen: Non Muslime were allowed to visit Makkah till the start of 20th century. The practice was discontinued by the current rulers of Saudi Arabia. Non muslim traders were rountinely to be found in the market places of both Makkah and Madinah. The entry to Khaana Kaaba and the mosque though was restricted.
Non-muslims also should have the right to visit the holy places of Islam just like muslims who have the right and possibility to visit the religious place of all other religions.
@ Citizen, there is one rule. i.e how to loot the pilgrims....
Please make rules regarding people who perform multiple hajj and umras. This must end.