20 Jun 12 1702hrs ISTFull site
Indian Muslims discuss reforms to Haj pilgrimage
management after SC judgment to abolish Haj subsidy
Jun 19, 2012, 08.07PM IST TNN![http://images.photogallery.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gif]()
[
Manash Pratim Gohain ]
NEW DELHI: Forum for Haj Pilgrimage
Management in India (FHMI) organized a one day Conference that deliberated on
the issues and concerns related to Haj Pilgrimage Management and suggested
options for a subsidy-free Haj Management in India on Tuesday. The primary
objective of conference organized by FHMI under the chairmanship of Member of
Parliament K Rahman Khan (former deputy chairman, Rajya Sabha) was to
understand the functioning of Tabung Haji, a successful Haj Pilgrim Management
Institution of Malaysia, and to create a consensus among the Indian Muslims on
the possibility to establish an institution in India on the lines of Tabung
Haji. Such a fund will not only help better Haj Pilgrimage Management but also
work towards inclusion and social betterment of the Muslim community in India.
The Conference focused on the need
to devise a sustainable institutional mechanism to minimize the impact of
gradual withdrawal of Haj subsidy on the majority of poor Indian Haj Pilgrims,
in the event of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court to phase out subsidy
in the next 10 years.
Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, president,
Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and senior officials from
Tabung Haji, Malaysia, participated in the conference and made their
presentations on Haj Management. Tabung Haji, a unique Haj Management and
financial institution established in the year 1960, having a meagre capital of
USD 15,400 with the aim of mobilizing savings of individuals and prospective
Hajis and successfully managing an investment fund on Shariah principles in
order to fulfill the life-long desire of the individuals to undertake Haj
Pilgrimage. The depositors are able to save their money under Shariah
principles and able to obtain Halalreturns which can be used either to
perform Haj or for any other purpose. Today, Tabung Haji, is considered as the
best Haj Management organization in the world having seven subsidiaries and
fund base of over USD 11 billion.
Khan said: "India being the
second largest Muslim populated country in the world and with more than 180,000
pilgrims from India performing Haj every year, there is need for a reform in
the entire Haj Pilgrim Management for a long sustainable Institutional system.
Under the circumstances, the example of Tabung Haji, as practiced in Malaysia,
seems to be the most viable answer to the problems of Indian Hajis ."
"Through a unique financial
institution, our aim would be to mobilize savings of millions of prospective
Hajis and successfully manage their funds under Shariah Principles to fulfill
their life-long desire to perform Haj. Since, these savings will create a huge
corpus, the Institution will not only assist Indian Muslims for Haj Pilgrimage
at an affordable cost but also bring it into the mainstream economy which will
further help in the development of the community and the country," added
Khan.
The chief guest, Dr Ahmad Mohamed
Ali appreciated FHMI's initiatives under the leadership of Khan in this area
and said that they would like to extend all help to create such an institution.
He also pointed out that a sustainable financial management system is the only
way to face the possibility of discontinuation of Haj Subsidy. In fact, through
this channel even a poor Indian Muslim can fulfill his/ her lifelong dream of
undertaking the Holy Haj Pilgrimage.
Like the Islamic Development Bank,
Tabung Haji, the original creators for the model in Malaysia, also assured to
share their experience if a Tabung Haji like institution comes into existence
in India.
Dr Aziz Qureshi, Governor of
Uttarakhand, Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law and Justice and Minority Affairs,
E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs, several other Union
Ministers, Members of Parliaments, Senior officials from the Ministry of
Finance, RBI, eminent Ulema from various parts of the country, prominent
community leaders, intellectuals and scholars were present on the occasion.
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