VASCO
GPCC Secretary Saifullah Khan on Tuesday demanded that Dabolim Airport be retained as the embarkation point for the Haj Pilgrimage in the larger interest of the Muslim community in the State and neighbouring states.
Addressing a news conference in Vasco, Khan said when he had taken a representation to then chief minister Digambar Kamat and MP Francisco Sardinha explaining the hardships faced by Goan Muslims who opted for the Haj Pilgrimage in 2009, but had to travel afar to board the flight to Saudi Arabia.
“Senior citizens from the Muslim community had told us that though they had a good pilgrimage, the only issue was that they had to travel to neighbouring states to embark for the pilgrimage. They faced difficulties in other cities as those places were not known to them.”
“We also request the All India Haj Committee to explain the troubles the pilgrims face while leaving from Mumbai finally and got the flight for Haj Pilgrimage from Goa and Dabolim Airport has been active as an embarkation point since then,” said Khan.
“Earlier, 21 cities were the embarkation points for the pilgrimage which has now been reduced to 10 and Goa airport has been excluded as an embarkation point.”
“Shaikh Jina, who is also acting chairman of all India Haj Committee, should try and retain Dabolim Airport as the embarkation point because pilgrims will have to face difficulties,” said Khan.
Khan dismissed the explanation by the BJP that coronavirus had compelled authorities to reduce embarkation points.
“This is just an excuse. They must remember that Haj pilgrimage will be held in June and the BJP government has already made plans to reopen schools in the State, so why is this being used as an excuse to deny Goan Muslims the privilege of leaving for the pilgrimage from Goa?”
“There should be at least one flight from Dabolim for Goans and people from neighbouring areas,” said Khan.
