Hyderabad: Hajj pilgrims of India will be able to travel through sea route from the next year. The central government has begun necessary preparations in this connection. It has floated global tender seeking applications from shipping firms in this regard. Union minister for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi revealed this during his meeting with Waqf Board Chairman Mohammed Saleem.
Mohammed Saleem asked him regarding reviving of sea route so that middle-class Muslims could perform Hajj pilgrimage with less expenditure. He also appealed for an increase in Hajj quota for Telangana and said Muslim population is the highest in Telangana compared to other states of the country hence the centre should allot additional quota to Telangana.
Mohammed Saleem said after the division of state and formation of Telangana, the Muslim population has exceeded 12 percent but only 6000 seats are allotted to Telangana. He felt that increase in hajj quota and facility of sea route will give middle-class families a chance to perform Holy Pilgrimage.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told that Saudi Arabia has already given its nod to India’s plan to revive the option of sea travel to Jeddah. After completing requisite formalities in this connection, the sea route option sea route will be made available from next year. However, it will only be from Mumbai. He assured to sympathetically consider regarding an increase in Hajj quota for Telangana.