ISIS Fear: Muslim elders hail Visa curbs on single Muslim youths

MUMBAI: A section of Muslim community leaders have lauded the efforts of a visa processing agent to stop single, under 30 males from using the pilgrimage route to join ISIS in Iraq. Alshaya Nasser Travels, one of the agents to facilitate the visa processing for visitors to Iraq, has asked tour operators not to accept applications from single, under 30 males who are unaccompanied by their family members. This has been done after the four Kalyan boys went to Iraq as "pilgrims" in May but joined the jihadist outfit ISIS there.

"Unlike or namaz or haj, visiting holy shrines is not obligatory for Muslims, but is appreciable if they do visit them. The visa agency's advisory has been issued in good faith and people should not have problem with this," said Maulana Athar Ali, senior cleric and president of All India Ulema Association. He added that prevention is always better than cure and this should be treated as a measure to discourage youths from getting swayed by jihadist propaganda.

Many felt that youths should focus on study and career. "Why should single, under 30 boys worry so much about pilgrimages that they have to put their careers on hold? While they are in college they should try to excel in study, use the globalized to join the mainstream job market. I think it is a laudable step to deny visas to the under 30 boys, especially when they want to travel alone," said M A Kahlid of All India Ulema Council.

However, the move also drew flaks from a few. "To move freely on valid travel documents is right of a citizen. How could the agency presume that all under 30 single males who want to visit Iraq are potential terrorists? Those who kill or harm innocents in any way are not true followers of Islam. Better education about the religious teachings will be more effect deterrence than denying the young visas," said former MLA Yusuf Abrahani.