Haj cancellation disappoint people

BHAGALPUR

: The Centre’s decision that no pilgrims from the country will travel to Mecca (Saudi Arabia) for haj this year has disappointed the 180 residents of the district, who had registered with the Bihar State Haj Committee and also paid requisite fee, travel and other expense charges.

The central government’s decision came after the Saudi government’s announcement that ‘very limited number’ of people will be allowed for haj this year in order to check the spread of coronavirus. Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman, Habibia Madarsa of Puraini said they were very much disappointed by the cancellation of haj this year. The Maulana said they would look forward to haj next year.

Md Abtullah Ansari of Narga Chowk (Nathnagar) said although it was disappointing for him and others who wanted to go for haj and had prepared for that, they would be going to Mecca next year. Md Habib Murshid and his wife, who had registered and paid the requisite fee for haj, said the Haj Committee should not cancel their registration and refund money, instead keep it for 2021.

Md Shaheb Haji of Asanandpur locality said the haj committee perhaps has sought application from the registered applicants for refund of the registration and other charges, which come to about Rs3.25 lakh per head. No deduction will be made on the charges paid to the committee, he added.