WHY do refugees from war-torn Muslim countries have to knock at the doors of Europe to seek refuge? And when they are refused entry, the entire Muslim ummah cries foul.

We criticise the EU for backtracking on human rights claims and in some cases rightly so. But what about the most revered places which the Muslim Ummah visits or yearns to visit for the purification of its soul? Hijaz happens to be a part of modern-day Saudi Arabia and is also the spiritual capital of 1.5bn people around the globe.

If the believers of Allah need asylum or refuge, it should be in Hijaz. Saudi Arabia has the capacity to deal with millions of pilgrims every year. It has the necessary infrastructure and resources to accommodate the victims of this misery. And why cannot the billions of dollars spent during Haj be spent on the welfare of poverty-ridden and war-ravaged faithful?

We have been fed with the concept of ummah since our childhood by reciting Iqbal’s poetry, but where is the Muslim ummah? Where is it in the hour of need when the ummah’s toddlers are being washed up on the shores of the Aegean Sea? If the animal sacrifice in the coming Eid has some spirit left in it and is not a mere slaughtering ritual, then it is time we showed some sacrifice.

All of those who can afford to perform Haj by accommodating themselves in the ‘Haram-view’ five-star hotels should spend that money on these poor and unfortunate people and accommodate them in the land of peace.

Bahadar Ali Khan

Toronto, Canada

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2015

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