Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia September 8, 2016. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
New Delhi: In a major policy decision, the government on Tuesday scrapped subsidy for Hajj pilgrims.
Announcing this here Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Hajj subsidy funds will be used for educational empowerment of girls and women of minority community.
Stating that the government believed in empowerment without appeasement, the Minister said “development with dignity is what we believe in.”
The minister said despite Hajj subsidy being withdrawn, a record 1.75 lakh Muslims would go on the pilgrimage this year after Saudi Arabia increased India’s quota by 5,000.
(Agencies)
