JEDDAH, 22 June 2006 — India has asked Saudi Arabia to consider increasing the country’s Haj quota by an additional 10,000 from the current 147,000 Indian pilgrims allowed to perform Haj each year.
India’s Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed conveyed the request to Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy during a meeting yesterday.
“They said they will consider the request after taking into consideration the overall (quota) situation,” Ahamed told a press conference.
The request follows reports in the Indian press about a substantial increase in the number of those intending to perform Haj.
The minister said special emphasis was being given to training for would-be pilgrims with the goal of avoiding stampedes that have marred past pilgrimages.
“Training is being given at orientation camps organized by various state Haj committees to pilgrims on how to perform the stoning-the-devil ritual,” the minister said.
In the past, stampedes have frequently occurred on the Jamrat bridge and its pedestrian ramps that lead to the symbolic pillars representing the devil. The stoning of the pillars is considered the most challenging part of the Haj.
Ahamed said he also discussed with Dr. Al-Farsy the possibility of “our pilgrims staying an extra day in the tent city of Mina to avoid surging crowds on the last day. I also discussed the arrangements that will be in place should they decide to stay an extra day.”
Ahamed said Saudi Arabia appreciated India’s efforts in making good arrangements for Haj every year. “We have been rated as one of the best by the Saudi authorities,” he claimed.
However, he mentioned one particular sticking point during the meeting with Al-Farsy: The issue of Indians coming for Haj from countries other than India. It seems a large number of Indians come for Haj from other countries.
“The Saudis wanted us to take responsibility for those Indians. In many cases, it seems, they did not have proper accommodations resulting in chaos on the streets of Makkah and Mina.”
The minister was emphatic in his refusal to take responsibility for these pilgrims. “The Indian government cannot be held responsible for those coming from other countries. We will be responsible for only those who come through the Haj Committee (of India) and through the registered private tour operators,” he said.
Referring to transportation problems and the delay in ferrying pilgrims back to India during last Haj, the minister said he has instructed Air-India to make adequate arrangements for the smooth flow of pilgrims both to and from Saudi Arabia. “Air-India failed to arrange aircraft in time at the end of last Haj and this resulted in last-minute transportation problems,” he said.
Media reports last year cited complaints by some pilgrims that the accommodations established in Makkah’s Aziziyah district were inadequate and too far from the Holy Mosque. Yesterday Ahamed described those reports as exaggerated and said that many pilgrims are requesting to stay in Aziziyah for the coming Haj.
“This time, however, we have given them a choice. If they don’t want to stay in Aziziyah, it is up to them. It is clearly mentioned on the Haj Committee application. But it is a fact that many of the pilgrims want to stay in Aziziyah area only,” the minister said.
Indian Haj Committee Chairman Tanveer Ahmad — who was present at the press briefing along with Indian Ambassador M.O.H Farook and Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed — nodded in affirmation.
The minister said the pilgrims would be informed beforehand about their accommodation in Makkah.
On the issue of India-Pakistan relations, Ahamed praised the new bus service across the Line of Control, saying it is a positive move toward improving relations in the region and between the two countries. “The bus service between Rawlakot and Poonch and the composite dialogue ... all are going fine. Everything is going well,” he said.
Regarding the Iran nuclear issue, Ahamed said Tehran reserved the right to process nuclear energy for their domestic needs “but that has to be consistent with international obligations.”
He said the matter should be solved through negotiations and discussions and not through confrontation. “India will not support any force or sanctions against Iran,” he added.
