DUSHANBE, June 30, 2009, Asia-Plus -- During his meeting with regional administrators of Sughd province in Khujand at the end of last week, President Emomali Rahmon called on people wanting to make Hajj this year to use their funds intended for Hajj for charity, according to presidential press service.

“I apply to all residents who want to make Hajj this year that has seen financial crisis and disasters, especially those who want to make Hajj for the second or third time, to use their funds intended for the holy journey for assistance to poor families, mitigation of effects of disasters that hit the country this year and improvement of the country,” the president was cited as saying.