Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested three individuals for allegedly defrauding several people by promising to arrange their Haj pilgrimage. The accused collected money but neither facilitated the pilgrimage nor returned the funds.
His decision to put off the week-long visit for Haj also comes amid speculation of an impending reshuffle in the Union Cabinet.
Geelani cleared for Haj pilgrimage: J&K govt
The actor and his mother was spotted at the Mumbai airport on November 1.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday frowned on the Centre's practise of "politicising" the annual Haj pilgrimage by permitting official delegations to accompany the pilgrims, for which the government offers huge subsidy, saying, "It's a bad religious practice."
The Haj Committees and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd, which organise the religious pilgrimages will not have to Service Tax.
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of Haj.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised the deployment of CRPF armoured vehicles during the Assembly elections, accusing the BJP-led Centre of using government resources to favour their party. She also addressed concerns of potato farmers and urged them to sell their produce in other states.
From Manavalan to Kannan Srank, a tribute to the unforgettable Salim Kumar who made generations of Malayalis laugh with his signature humour.
The CM said the state government has been extending grant for the Hindus and the Christians for their overseas pilgrimage.
Over 1.5 million Muslims from around the world have flooded into the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual Haj pilgrimage.
The Bhartiya Janata Party has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the issue.
Sarfaraz Ahmad Khan went on his first Haj in 1972.
It was complained that the special financial assistance to the Haj pilgrims from the tax payers' money was discriminatory as no such similar facilities were being extended to Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and other communities.
However, it would not be given to Income Tax payees and to those who do not avail of Haj committee accommodation.
A total of 350 flights from 15 embarkation points will carry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, with the first being from Lucknow on November 11. Flights from Nagpur (to Jeddah-170 pilgrims), Kolkata (to Madinah-423 pilgrims), and Srinagar (to Jeddah-215 pilgrims) will also arrive on the first day.
The first batch of 900 pilgrims on Thursday left for Jeddah in three flights from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to attend the annual Haj pilgrimage.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to restrict the practice of Haj pilgrimage at government subsidy to Muslims as a "once in a lifetime" affair as against the existing policy of "once in five years". In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the government said that new guidelines have been framed to ensure that priority is given to those applicants who have never performed Haj. The government refrained from disclosing the amount of subsidy.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has defended his decision to allow the pro-Pakistani hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to perform Haj saying the piligrimage is necessary for all Muslims.
Altogether 93,903 people, including 89 children and 269 infants, were airlifted by Air India, Indian Airlines and Saudia for Haj pilgrimage in the first phase of the operations, concluding Wednesday, an Air India spokesman said in Mumbai Tuesday.
Glimpses from the annual Haj pilgrimage outside Mecca.
Abdul Rehman, son of Abdul Raheem, (passport no 44821) was the latest casualty.
'Aamir will fly in 200 plus family members and friends from different cities to celebrate his mother's birthday on June 13.'
"This is part of our policy to empower minorities with dignity and without appeasement," Naqvi said.
He pointed out that such a restriction is not prevalent in many Islamic countries.
Thousands of Muslims posing in front of holy sites for a selfie during the Haj, has angered some conservative clerics and sparking a debate over legitimacy of such actions during the annual pilgrimage.
Over 2 million Muslims, including 136,000 Indians, will begin Haj when they assemble in the valley of Mina as Saudi authorities said preparations have been completed for the world's largest annual gathering after the city underwent a multi-billion overhaul.
The stars met up during a prayer meet in Mecca.
We bring you a presentation of the best photos in the last 24 hours from around the world.
In a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia said it has barred international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage.
'The government used to give subsidy to reduce loss of Air India'
Bakri Id was celebrated across the Muslim world on Wednesday with devotees offering special prayers in eidgahs and mosques and sacrificing animals.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday demanded that the Centre should increase quota of Haj pilgrims from the state.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare is likely to rope in Bollywood actor Aamir Khan for the new phase of his movement, which he plans to launch in January.
The wife and son of Syed Salahuddin, head of the PoK-based Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, have been given security clearance for issuance of passports which they had sought for performing Haj pilgrimage.
Debutant director Salim Ahmed won four major honours in the 58th National Awards.
How simply doing his duty has jeopardised a Muslim doctor's Haj pilgrimage.
The first batch of 401 state pilgrims on Tuesday left for Haj in two Air India flights from the Srinagar international airport.
