Mumbai: Viagra, sexual oils, creams, lubes, pornographic content and narcotics- these are among the list of things that the pilgrims are advised against carrying to Mecca, according to an advisory by the Haj Committee of India (HCI).
The HCI's circular comes in wake of instances in the past years where pilgrims were caught with such contents, according to reports.
"Despite issuing guidelines and holding training sessions, there have been instances from certain embarkation points during Haj 2013 and 2014, where pilgrims have been caught with such contents. This is a serious issue, which needs to be dealt with seriously," the advisory said.
Though there were commandments expecting piety during Haj, there were past instances where pilgrims have been found smuggling such contents, prompting them to insert it in the advisory in the Haj application forms, Ataur Rahman, CEO, Haj Committee of India, reportedly said.
Other prohibited items include khash-khash, synthetic capore, cystone, khammera, gutkha, khaini, gul, piper mint or narcotics in any form, political literature and even photographs. People found carrying these items could face liable to punishment including life imprisonment and even death penalty.
However, the advisory against carrying sexual stimulants has not gone down well with some community leaders, as they believe that a general advisory like this will only portray the community in bad light. M A Khalid of All India Milli Council said that pilgrims took up Haj not to seek pleasure, but to perform religious rituals, and that a general advisory only shows how certain officials paint Muslims as sex maniacs who cannot do without sex even during Haj.
In addition to the advisory, those short-listed for Haj pilgrimage are also administered vaccine against meningitis in addition to other quarantine requirements. Sensitisation sessions about conduct during the Haj are also organised across the country.
The Haj this year will be performed on September 22 and the flights carrying pilgrims have already started service since August 16. This year one lakh Indian pilgrims will perform Haj through the Haj Committee and 36,000 will go through private tour operators.
