The Muslim elderly in Holland yearn for hajj

By Khaled Schmit, IOL Correspondent 

THE HAGUE, January 24 (IslamOnline.net) – The Muslim elderly in the Netherlands can now easily apply for hajj thanks to a new society established especially to facilitate the holy journey for Muslims over 65.

Set up by the government-recognized Union of the Muslim Elderly in Holland, the society is offering hajj at affordable prices to make the dreams of many hajj hopefuls come true, particularly those living on government aid or low-income pensioners, said the union's head on Saturday, January 24.

Khamis Boushihda, who is of Tunisian descent, told IslamOnline.net that the non-profit society provides social, cultural and religious services to a marginalized cross-section of society and in view of the family disunity that eats at the moral fabric of the West.

It has already contracted with a number of airlines and hotels in Holland and Saudi Arabia to guarantee first-class services for the pilgrims.

The society is the second in Holland in terms of organizing hajj for a certain age-group among the Muslim community.

Ibn Khaldoun high school established last year Al-Nour society for hajj and umrah, organizing the spiritual journey to students and teachers.

It continued the successful effort this year by sending a new batch of students, teachers and staff to the holy places, slashing the usually costly journey to only 1,000 euros per person.

Makkah Services Society, a hajj operator in Holland, says that hajj costs this year range from 2000 to 3000 euros.

Around 1000 Muslims will perform hajj this year in accordance with the quota set by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia, which is 1,000 pilgrims for every one million in the country's population.

Eighty per cent of Holland's one million Muslim population is of Turkish origin.