It's not hajj, it's a pleasure trip

The Daily Star has recently published a news report titled “Hajj pilgrimage at tax payers' expense” informing us that the government is spending more than Tk 10 crore of public money to send 318 persons to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of hajj despite the fact that many of these persons are financially solvent. The details of these persons were described in the report, with comments from religious scholars.

Islam made hajj mandatory only for those who are financially solvent, and physically and mentally fit. Performing hajj with taxpayers' money, therefore, does not make any sense. It is tantamount to going on "a pleasure trip". It would be highly unethical for anyone to do so. I urge the concerned ministry to terminate this money wasting project.

Luthfe Ali, US