Goa Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla making a point on the coming Haj Pilgrimage. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Goa State Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla on Monday made a fervent plea to members of the Muslim community to enrol themselves for the coming Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Addressing the media, Mulla said the Goa government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has provided all help and assistance to the Goa state Haj Committee for the pilgrims to undertake the Haj pilgrimage.
To a question why the government has discontinued Goa as an embarkation point for Haj pilgrims, Mulla said hardly 150-162 pilgrims from Goa undertake the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
“Airlines do not fly from Goa to Mecca because of the less number of pilgrims. There is no problem in making Mopa the embarkation point, but the airlines insist on at least 300 pilgrims from Goa to head to Mecca”, he said.
Mulla, however, said the state government has been taking care of the pilgrims, including their travel to Mumbai and their stay before they embark on the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The State Haj Committee Chairman further said the Committee has made a request to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to appoint a member Secretary to the Haj Committee and to increase the grant of Rs 30 lakhs.
“We are confident that Chief Minister will accept our request and increase the grant”, he said.
Meanwhile, Mulla rubbished allegations that Margao MLA Digambar Kamat is interfering in the affairs of the Jamia Masjid, Malbhat.
“I want to clarify that the Margao MLA is not interfering in the affairs of Jamia Masjid. On the contrary, we the members of the Muslim community approach the MLA for help and assistance to resolve the grievances of the community”, he added.
