Patna: “Haj aspirants for 2010 should start preparation for the trip. As international passport is mandatory now, they should get it as early as they can. Bihar has failed to fully utilize its allotted quota, that is a matter of concern while aspirants from other states cross the limit of quotas” said Mr. Qwais Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of Central Haj Committee. He was addressing media persons yesterday at Bihar Haj House in Patna.
Bihar Haj Committee has 10.6 thousand quota for Haj aspirants but it has never sent so many Hajis despite the fact that Muslims constitute almost 13.72 million in the state that is highest after UP and West Bengal. In 2009 Haj trip, state Haj Committee received only 6 thousand applications and at last as usual the rest of the seats were given to aspirants from other states.
The obvious reason for low number of Hajis from Bihar is economic backwardness. But lack of interest towards this noble journey is also a big reason as many Muslims who can afford do not seem enthusiastic for it. It is also a fact that a number of Bihari Muslims adopt to take flight from metro cities which reduce the number of Hajis from Bihar list.
Mr. Owais Ahmad, who himself hails from Darbhanga district of Bihar, further said: “There is a need to work for increasing the number of Hajis from the state and Imams of mosques, Ulama and community leaders can play a vital role in this regard."
He urged them to start movement for that at state level and motivate eligible Muslims to perform the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
About the opening of registration for 2010 Haj trip, he said it will be decided at the meeting of Central Haj Committee expected to be held next month.
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