Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee has received 4,691 applications for Hajj 2027, significantly lower than the Union Territory’s expected quota of 7,981 pilgrims, officials said.
Executive Officer of the J&K Hajj Committee Shujaat Ahmad said the applicants include 2,566 men and 2,125 women. Of the total, 24 women have applied under the Ladies Without Mahram (LWM) category, while 620 applicants are senior citizens aged above 65 years.
The lower number of applications indicates that the Union Territory may not require its entire expected quota, though the final allocation will be decided by the Hajj Committee of India in accordance with the Hajj policy.
Srinagar recorded the highest number of applications at 1,152, followed by Baramulla (595), Anantnag (420), Budgam (404), Pulwama (361), Kupwara (323) and Kulgam (265). In the Jammu division, Rajouri received 174 applications, followed by Jammu (106), Poonch (101), Doda (85), Ramban (54), Udhampur (50), Samba (46), Reasi (38), Kathua (36) and Kishtwar (35).
Ahmad said the Hajj Committee of India would scrutinise all applications before commencing the selection process in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
At the national level, the Hajj Committee of India received 2,01,725 applications after the registration window closed. Gujarat recorded the highest number with 31,755 applications, followed by Maharashtra (28,372), Kerala (24,500), Uttar Pradesh (22,623), Karnataka (17,939), Tamil Nadu (14,124), Telangana (12,021) and Madhya Pradesh (10,141).
Officials said the quota for Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) has not yet been announced and will be notified separately by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. (GNS)
