Muslim organisations unhappy over compulsory fee for sacrifice in Haj

Lucknow: Several Muslim organizations expressed strong anguish over compulsory advance fee for 'qurbani' or sacrifice from Haj pilgrims and and have termed it as "Anti-Sharia".

General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Nizamuddin told PTI over phone that the Haj Committee of India has done wrong by making advance fee for traditional sacrifice during Haj compulsory.

He said that the committee could make arrangements for offering namaz, transportation and other facilities, but offering 'qurbani' was a personal matter of a Haji and must not be interfered with.

"It is not the responsibility of the committee and sacrifice is not compulsory for every Haji," he said.

He said that if any Haji could not offer sacrifice due to financial constraints, he could observe 'Roza' (fast) for 10 days in return.

"In such a situation charging advance fee is inappropriate and unjust," Maulana said.

State president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Maulana Ashhad Rashidi said that advance fee from a Haji for sacrifice should not be made compulsory, as it was upto him whether he was willing to offer 'qurbani' or observe 'Roza'.

He said that there were several forms of Haj and in one no sacrifice needed.

"In 'Israad' (form of haj), it is not compulsory to offer sacrifice," Rashidi said.

He said that national president of Jamiat Maulana Arshad Madni has approached the Centre urging them to reconsider the move.

"If that does not happen Jamiat will take further step after discussion in its executive meeting," he said.

Spokesman of All India Shia Personal Law Board Maulana Yasoob Abbas said that offering sacrifice or not was the right of Hajis, which could not be withdrawn by the committee.

"It is beyond understating that why the committee implemented such kind of compulsion. This is unnecessary interference in the rights of Hajis and must be withdrawn immediately," head of world famous Islamic educational institution Shibli Academy Maulana Ishtiyaq Ahmad said.