Jamaat condemns move to stop 300 intending J-K Haj pilgrims

Srinagar, Nov 8 (UNI) The Jamaat-e-Islami today said the Jammu and Kashmir government's denial of clearance to about 300 people intending to undertake the Haj pilgrimage this year amounted to ''interference in one's religious affairs and murder of rights and freedom to profess one's faith.'' In a statement here, a Jamaat-e-Islami spokesman condemned the ''unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and anti-Islam'' decision in the strongest terms.

He said Jamaat Amir (chief) Sheikh Mohammad Hassan convened an emergency meeting of all office bearers and party workers to discuss the important matter and the ''unfortunate'' government decision.

The Jamaat strongly demanded that all intending Haj pilgrims be immediately allowed to undertake this most important ''fundamental and religious'' duty. ''All the documents required to undertake the pilgrimage be issued to the intending Haj pilgrims immediately.'' The spokesman said the ''unwarranted'' decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government to prevent the intending pilgrims from performing Haj was unacceptable to the people of the state.

''The move clearly signifies that the present regime is a puppet government, which is out to snatch the basic rights of the people of whom it claims to be the true representative,'' he added.

About 300 people intending to undertake the Haj pilgrimage this year have been denied clearance by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police for unknown reasons.

UNI