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Andhra
minister returns home after row over Saudi visit
Thursday, October 21, 2010 10:43:34 PM, IANS
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Hyderabad:
Andhra Pradesh's Minority Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmadullah
Friday returned home after facing an embarrassing situation in
Saudi Arabia of visiting the country on Haj visa but returning
without pilgrimage.
However, the minister termed the reports about him being stopped
at the Jeddah airport while returning home as "baseless". He told
reporters that he would serve legal notice to the television
channels which aired the story.
Ahmadullah claimed he had gone to Saudi Arabia to oversee the
arrangements for the pilgrims from the state in the holy city of
Mecca.
The minister, who was accompanied by his wife and two sons, denied
that they violated any rules or were stopped at Jeddah airport by
the authorities.
As the minister and his family members were returning home after
performing 'Umra' (mini pilgrimage), they were reportedly stopped
by the Jeddah airport authorities, who insisted that they stay in
the country till the Haj season is over as they entered the
country on Haj visa.
According to Saudi rules, a person who arrives on Haj visa can't
exit without performing the pilgrimage. The Indian consulate
intervened to bail out the minister and his family, who then
boarded a flight for Hyderabad.
The Haj season begins in the second week of November and ends in
December.
Ahmadullah and his family went to Saudi Arabia Oct 15 on Haj visa
as the Saudi authorities do not issue 'umra' visas before the Haj
season.
He did not clarify why he visited Saudi Arabia on Haj visa when he
was on an official visit to oversee the arrangements. The visit on
Haj visa enabled him and his family members to avail Haj subsidy
on airfare.
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