Women must travel with male companion, says Darul Uloom

ALIGARH: Muslim clerics and scholars in the city have expressed disappointment over the proposed Haj policy drafted by a committee appointed by the Centre on October 7 in which the key highlight is ‘allowing women devotees above 45 to travel in a group of at least four without a male companion’.

Strongly criticising the new Haj policy, Mohtamim (administrator) Mufti Abul Qasim Naumani of seminary Darul Uloom said, “This uncalled for step is politically motivated. Muslim women should be accompanied with males during travel, including Haj. If the government grants permission to single Muslim women to go on Haj without a male companion, then it is interference in our religious affairs which indicates that the goals and aims of the government are suspicious.”

He called upon the Muslim women to not to avail the facility as it will be against sharia. He also advised the government to review the draft policy in the interest of social harmony.

The Muslim clerics have called the policy as interference in the sharia and said it must be condemned.

They said the proposal also highlights restricting people above 70 years of age to apply directly for Haj for the fourth time. They have to apply under the new Haj policy of the government in which lottery will be drawn for finalising applicants.

Aligarh city mufti Mohd Khalid told HT, “Both Quran and Hadis have stipulated that women may go on Haj accompanied by either husband, father, son or brother. Under this, she cannot be allowed to travel alone for Haj. I do not know why the government is taking so much interest in religious affairs of Muslims.”

Dr (Mufti) Zahid Khan of theology department (AMU) said, “Will the PM himself take the responsibility of security of women while they will be on Haj?”