By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net
Mumbai: A delegation of All India Ulama Council (AIUC) on Wednesday met the Saudi Consulate General Abdullah Suleiman Isa in Mumbai and demanded that International Passport condition for Hajj be omitted and quota of Indian Muslims for Hajj be increased.
Having detailed before the deputy consulate general Abdul Mun’im Bin Abdur Rahman the concerns and anxiety found among Indian Muslims regarding International Passport condition they handed over a memorandum in Arabic language which asks immediate withdrawal of the International Passport condition that have replaced the temporary passport of Hajj and allocation of Hajj quota for Muslims considering them 20% of whole population.
Later, the delegation met Abdullah Suleiman Isa who after listening to their troubles assured to convey the same to Saudi King Abdullah. Besides, he suggested the delegation to pressure Indian government too so that discussions may be on government level.
The Saudi government after making international passport compulsory for the Hajis of every country had denied the subsequent request for one-year respite made by the Indian Hajj Committee and the central government. It said the step was taken for security measures.
Asked why they were striving for omission of the condition while it is to be imposed in every country Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi said, ‘The situation in India is quite different. Many persons may be even deprived of Hajj as getting passport is a difficult task especially for a Muslim in the country.’
The delegation also expressed concern over the attitude of Saudi Government of not accepting many BUMS doctors who want to serve pilgrims during Hajj period as ‘qualified’ for the same while the Indian government has given them the status of MBBS.
‘An application in this concern verified by Indian education and foreign ministries would be pondered upon,’ Suleiman Isa is believed to have said.
The delegation comprised Mufti Azizur Rahman, Maulana Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi, Maulana Ejaz Kashmiri and Maulana Sayyid Athar Ali.