Haj controversy: Muslim clerics say women shall commit sin if they go alone on pilgrimage

A prominent body of muslims clerics has objected to the reported suggestion by a government committee to allow women above the age of 45 to go on Haj pilgrimage without a male family member. 

According to a report in the Times of India a muslim cleric belonging to Jamiata Ulama suggested men are superior to women as they don't have to bear children.

"If you want equality why don't men and women carry pregnancy for 4.5 months each," he is reported to have said. The government committee in its report submitted to the Union Minority Affairs Minister M A Naqvi has proposed drastic changes in the Centre's Haj policy inviting wrath from body of muslim clerics across the country. 

"Haj is considered one of the pillars of Islam. It should be done according to the principles laid down in the Sharia law," said Mufti Mohammend Salim Noori of the Dargah Aala Hazrat.  "A woman will end up committing a sin if they go for haj without being accompanied by a close male blood relative," he added.