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 ALL INDIA MUSLIM
MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
Considering Foreign Exchange Position, Haj Quota Unreasonable
AIMMM Demands Unrestricted Haj for All Applicants
New Delhi, 5 October, 2004: Shri Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis- e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), has issued the following Statement :
"The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) has taken note of the fact that the demand for Haj is rising but it is still below the informal limit of 1% of Muslim population, prescribed by the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Indian quota is of the order of 150,000 but the number of aspirants for 2005 Haj is of the order of 100,000.
Secondly, the Haj quota was introduced when our country was facing a difficult foreign exchange situation. Today we have overflowing foreign exchange reserves and the current regulations allow liberal release of foreign exchange for foreign travel. The average cost of Haj comes to about US$1,500, much below the foreign exchange quota freely admissible to any Indian national traveling abroad.
Therefore, the AIMMM considers that any restriction in the number of Haj pilgrims is unreasonable and should be lifted forthwith.
The AIMMM requests the government to allow all applicants who have filed their applications either to Haj Committee or enlisted with Haj Operators in time and who are otherwise eligible to perform the Haj."
Sd/- Syed Shahabuddin
ALL INDIA MUSLIM
MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
N-44, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi - 110 025 Phone: 2632
6780 Fax: 2632 7346 Email:
muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in q
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