By Shafeeq Hudawi, Twocircles.net

Kochi: Kerala Minister for Haj KT Jaleel has asked Muslim outfits and pilgrims to give up Haj subsidy before the Central government eliminates it completely. While addressing the media persons at Cochin International Airport before flagging off the first Haj flight, the minister said that the Muslim outfits must take a decision on the Haj subsidy.

The subsidy is being slashed by the in a phased manner following the 2010 Supreme Court order directing the Centre to curtail it within 10 years. “Islam is quite clear that the pilgrims cannot not use money from other sources to perform the holy pilgrimage. We hope that the pilgrims would meet their expenses without government’s support,” the minister said. According to him, the subsidy amount, which had been R45,000 in 2010 was slashed to R15,200 in 2016.

First group leaves for Saudi Arabia

The first group of pilgrims left for Saudi from Cochin International Airport on Monday. The Haj flight took off from the airport at 3.20 pm with 450 pilgrims onboard, including 229 women. Saudi Airlines will operate 24 flight services between Kochi and Madina over a 16 day-period starting from Monday with pilgrims from Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe. A total of 10,527 pilgrims, including 285 and 28 Haajis from Lakshwadeep and Mahe respectively will embark on the pilgrimage under government supervision from Kerala this year.

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The State Government has set up a temporary camp at the airport with elaborate facilities. The camp has rooms and conference halls, besides other facilities required for pilgrims. Minister for Haj KT Jaleel flagged off the flight. Haj committee chairman Kottumala Bhappu Musaliyar and MLAs V K Ibrahim Kunju and Anwar Sadat were also present.

Earlier, the Haj camp was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The inaugural session was attended by the representatives of all Muslim organisations ranging from IUML young leader Syed Munavvarali Shihab Thangal to All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar.