Indian HajCommittee seems to getting over with problems

Haj is mentioned in the Hadith as one of the Pillars of Islam. Haj is an imperative duty (Fardh) for all Muslims who have the resources to carry it out. It is to be performed during the days of Haj, once in a lifetime. However, one may perform it more than once. Haj is an ibadah in which money is spent in Allah’s way and strength is sacrificed for the pleasure of Allah. At the same time it is a test of patience. Haj also provides Muslims from all parts of the world the opportunity of meeting at a central venue to strengthen the bonds of Muslim Brotherhood.

Thanks to the mismanagement of Air India, state Haj Committees have begun pressing Haj Committee of India (HCI), and through it the central government, to replace the airliner. Spearheading movement against the monopoly of national carrier, the Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee has decided to change its loyalties from Air India to Saudi Airlines for sending pilgrims to Jeddah. This they did due to the step-motherly treatment of Hajis by the Air India. As nearly 30,000 pilgrims undertake Hajj pilgrimage every year from the state, the decision may cause a revenue loss of around Rs 50 crore to the national carrier.

The state Haj Committee has sent a letter to HCI and the Government of India in this regard, making it clear that because of misbehaviour and misconduct of the airline staff with Hajj pilgrims, its services will not be availed at any cost, Mohammad Jawed Khan, deputy secretary of the UP Haj Committee has been quoted saying in the media.

A Delhi Haj Committee official, on the condition of anonymity, said they are not happy with the national carrier but have no power to bring any drastic change. They are governed by HCI and such policy matters can be handled by it. HCI too alone cannot replace airliner; it has to request the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs and Civil Aviation Ministry to change the carrier, the official said.

Accepting a public interest litigation regarding the troubles faced by Hajis this year, the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has asked the Union government, Air India, Central Haj Committee and state Haj committee to explain why such treatment was meted out. The Bench has set January 29, 2008 for hearing of the case. Justice Pradeep Kant and Justice S.N. Shukla issued the notice after hearing a writ filed by president of ‘Khadimul Hujjaj’ Syed Yawar Husain alias Rishu.

Pleading for the applicant, G.S.L. Verma said the Government of India had made the agreement with Air India that every Haji could bring 10 liters of Zam Zam water at charges of 13 Riyals per liter. A similar agreement was made to bring back Hajis’ luggage. But flouting the agreements, Air India demanded 55 Riyals from every Haji for bringing Zam Zam water. The airline also turned down to bring Hajis’ luggage. It was also put before the court that Hajis were called at airport up to five days ahead of scheduled flights. This added to their miseries as they had to stay there without any meal. No arrangement was made for the treatment of sick Hajis. The court was requested to order the airline to return Hajis the extra money taken from them and also compensate them.

Pleading for state Haj committee, advocate Khaliq Ahmad Khan said it has become necessary that the Union government collect all documents from state Haj committee and present it in the court. Mr. Khaliq said that Hajis were not allowed to bring Zam Zam water on account of Hajis’ security.

Many Hajis have made complaints against Air India. One of them is that the airliner did not allow Haj pilgrims to bring back Zam Zam water. While the Saudi Airlines carries the water free of cost Air India charges it as extra baggage. Other complaints included poor quality of meals served during the flight and misbehavior of some airline staffers.

click icon to boomark