PUNE, 28 September 2007 — Intending Haj pilgrims in Aurangabad protested yesterday over the decision of the Central Haj Committee to bar pilgrims aged 75 years and above from performing Haj this year.

Those who attended the meeting said it was unfair and also un-Islamic to prevent any Muslim from performing Haj or any other religious duty.

Salim Mustafa, an 80-year-old pilgrim, said he was in good health, was selected through a draw and had paid the amount to the Haj Committee for pilgrimage. He said he was shocked to learn about the new decision. “How can you prevent a Muslim, who is in good health and fulfills all the requirements, from performing Haj ?”, he asked.

“Islam does not bar a Muslim from performing Haj on the basis of his age, how can the Haj committee do so,” asked Mumtaz Farouqi, another pilgrim.

Performing Haj is a dream of a lifetime for many who save money over the years to fulfill this dream. Haj has a great emotional and religious significance for any Muslim.

“If Allah has destined us to die in the holy land, then let it be, it will be a great honor for any Muslim to die in the holy land,” said Aftab Ansari, a 77-year-old carpet trader in Aurangabad.

Some of the participants of the meeting vowed to resist the Haj committee’s move and take the issue to the Bombay High Court.

A Central Haj Committee official said the decision was in the interest of old pilgrims because old people become victims of stampede during stoning at the Jamrat bridge.