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Minister Rauff Hakeem presides over the conference at his ministry to discuss facilities and other welfare measures for Haj pilgrims. The Ministry’s Additional Secretary, A. C. M. Razik, Senior Assistant Secretary U. L. M. Haldeen, Director, Muslim Religious Affairs, M. I. Ameen and senior officials of several Middle East airlines and the Haj pilgrimage organisers association were also present.

The Ministry of Muslim Affairs is currently having discussions with the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to obtain concessionary air fares for Sri Lankan Muslim devotees performing the Haj pilgrimage this year, said Port Development, Shipping, Eastern Development and Muslim Religious Affairs Minister, Rauff Hakeem at a conference at his ministry.

The conference attended by representatives of Foreign Airlines, Department of Muslim Religious Affairs and Haj Pilgrimage Organisers Association was held to discuss fares and other facilities for Haj pilgrims this year.

A ministry release said Minister Hakeem at the outset expressed displeasure to airline representatives over the increase of Haj air fares this year.

The total fare for the pilgrimage which was Rs. 62,500 last year has been increased by Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 70,000.

Representatives of Royal Jordanian Airline, Gulf Air, Emirates and Saudi Arabian Airlines who attended the meeting said a reduction of air fares would be difficult in the context of increasing fuel prices and high administrative costs. He said more Haj pilgrims are expected from countries such as India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore this year.

Since those countries are paying higher air fares than Sri Lanka most airlines had scheduled more planes and flights to those countries to increase their income.

Minister Hakeem said since these airlines earn a colossal income throughout the year by way of lakhs of Sri Lankan workers travelling to and from the Middle East they should show some special consideration towards people performing a holy mission such as the Haj pilgrimage and try to give them some concession. Minister Hakeem said the Saudi Arabian Airlines had agreed to reserve 4,100 seats for Sri Lankan Haj pilgrims this year.

He had already discussed the air fare issue with the General Manager of the Airline, M. Aboobucker.

He hoped to have further discussions with the Saudi Ambassador and other Saudi state officials next week to gain a more concessionary air fare from them.