The Raj Bans the Haj

Thirteen centuries ago the Prophet Mohammed called upon his followers to make a haj (pilgrimage) to his native Mecca at least once in their lifetimes in order to gain favor in the eyes of Allah. For 13 centuries, pious Moslems have done so, and thereafter been honored as haji. From India some 11,000 pilgrims annually made the trip. But last week India's Moslems heard from Delhi that sea transport for the haj (only feasible route from India) was out for the duration. Reason: enemy subs in the Indian Ocean.

Said the India Government: "A pilgrim ship is slow and crowded and their sailings and destinations would be matters of public knowledge. Owing to the difficulty of enforcing a blackout in a pilgrim ship [the majority of the passengers cook, sleep and live on deck] they cannot be taken in convoy with other vessels. . . . In case of anything happening to the ships the loss of life will be heavy."

These sound humanitarian grounds are not likely to satisfy India's Moslems. In 1939 the Marquess of Linlithgow, India's Viceroy, announced that because every ship was needed for World War II, hajis would have to wait for peace to make their pilgrimage (usual season: November through January). Moslems were indignant. Berlin made fast & furious propaganda throughout the East, and the Viceroy had to yield. Though the war has kited shipping costs, India subsidized shipowners to continue the pilgrimage at prewar fares through last season. This time, the Viceroy is already coping with so much Indian unrest that whatever decision he makes is almost certain to bring unpleasant results.

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