Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr Muhammad Ijaz ul-Haq on Thursday said the new Haj policy, applicable for next five years, would be announced in the next week.
Under the policy, 150,000 pilgrims would perform Haj while 300,000 people would visit the Holy land for Umra every year, he said while addressing a seminar on "Policy projection of Islam" organised by Islamabad Citizen Forum here.
The minister said those applicants who were not selected for Haj last year, would be given preference in the forthcoming Haj.
He made it clear that those who have performed Haj last year would not be considered for the next Haj except those who would be going for "Haj-e-Badal."
Ijaz-ul-Haq further informed there would not be any balloting for selection of Haj pilgrim and added, the applicants would be entertained on first come first serve basis.
He observed that our people are not properly treated during performance of Haj or Umra in Saudi Arabia.
"I would personally take up the issue with the Saudi government to maximum facilitate our Haj and Umra pilgrims during my forthcoming visit of that country," he added.
About Zakat, he informed that about Rs 55 billion have been disbursed among needy and poor through provinces during the last 19 years.
"We are introducing legislation to rehabilitate the mustahiqeen as well as further improve this system," he added.
At present, he said, financial support is being provided from the Zakat fund to 80 hospitals across the country.
The minister said the distribution of Zakat would also be extended to Fata.
He said a scheme of providing food to poor on a very low rate at some hotels would be initiated in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Talking about religious schools, he said there are 14,000 deeni madaris in the country providing free education, food and shelter to more than one million poor students which is a unique example in the world.
He categorically stated that no madrissah is involved in extremism and terrorism.
Ijaz-ul-Haq said modern education would be introduced in deeni madaris and in this regard the Wafaqul Madaris would be affiliated with the education boards.
He said at present, three deeni model madaris are imparting Islamic education to the students.
"The government would open about 25 new model institutions across the country in next few months," he added.
Ijaz-ul-Haq said the West is trying to tarnish image of Islam through a vicious propaganda.
"There is a need to change the perception being projected against Islam by adopting an enlightened approach to dispel this misperception," he added.
He referred to President Pervez Musharraf's strategic initiative of "enlightened moderation" with a view to presenting a true message of Islam in consonance with its eternal teachings.
Ijaz-ul-Haq said "Our duty towards Islam would be fulfilled only when we devote our energies and resources to project the enlightened message of Islam in the interest of domestic progress and prosperity and international peace and harmony."
The oppressed people, he said, have been suffering simply because of their demand for their inalienable right of self-determination. Ijaz said, President Musharraf has suggested at the OIC summit the restructuring of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in order to make it a vibrant Muslim forum to meet the challenges we are facing today.
About democracy, he said in the past, the democracy was used for personal gains in the country.
Instead of strengthening democratic institutions, some politicians tried to promote their personal image.
The Commonwealth has hinted to restore membership of Pakistan but some opposition members are approaching the Commonwealth against it.
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