Federal Minister Religious Noorul Haq Qadri said, on Wednesday, that the Prime minister is willing to create a Hajj-based model for pilgrims across the country led by Malaysian.
In addressing a case, Noorul Haq Qadri said it’s the responsibility of the government to serve Hajj pilgrims and the government is seriously working to cut packages for its people as much as possible.
“We thought that the government will be able to bring down expenses of Hajj package up to Rs500,000. I had told PM Imran Khan about my expectation when he questioned me regarding the Hajj package.”
He announced that the government will play its role for holding consultations between banks and private tour operators besides removing hurdles in e-Hajj facility. He added that the private tour operators are allowed to take Hajj pilgrims through private airlines.
Qadri said it is a global industry which earns approximately $100 billion around the world. He asked private tour companies to reduce the profit margin for Hajj pilgrims.
The minister also revealed that PM Khan is willing to establish a Malaysian-led model of Hajj fund.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Malaysian government had established a hajj pilgrims fund board, Lembaga Tabung Haji, which facilitates its nationals through savings for the pilgrimage to Makkah by making investments in Shariah-compliant vehicles.
How Lembaga Tabung Haji working for nation?
Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) is a statutory body established by the Government of Malaysia in 1963. TH is governed by Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) in providing facilities for Malaysian’s Muslims to save for hajj.
TH has more than 50 years of experience in savings, hajj services and investments. Prior to the establishment of Lembaga Tabung Haji, there was no Islamic financial institution that provided services to the Muslim in this country to save for hajj expenses.
Even though several banks were already operating, the Muslims were reluctant to use conventional banking for their hajj savings because they wanted to ensure that their hajj savings were free from riba (usury) in order to attain a Mabrur Hajj.
