Srinagar: Following the government of Saudi Arabia’s announcement of final Hajj quota, 55164 aspirants from India will perform the Hajj-2022 of which 5196 pilgrims will be from Jammu and Kashmir UT.
The quota was announced after a long wait as the Saudi government allowed Hajj 2022 after a gap of two years. For year 2021 and 2022, Hajj remained suspended for foreign travellers due to the Covid pandemic. The Saudi government also announced that this year one million people will perform Hajj.
Talking to KNO from New Delhi, Central Haj Committee member Engineer Aijaz Hussain said that this year 5196 people from J&K will perform Hajj.
“In entire India, 55164 aspirants are entitled to leave for the holy pilgrimage,” he said. He said Uttar Pradesh has got highest quota where over 8000 people will leave for the pilgrimage.
“First Hajj flight from J&K will leave on May 31 this year,” he said, adding, in every State and UT including J&K, all the arrangements are in place.
He said a meeting was held in Delhi where the arrangements for Zone 1 States/UTs were discussed and final shape was given to the arrangements.
“All measures are being put in place for the smooth departure of Hajj flights from J&K and rest of the Indian States,” said Er Aijaz, who was recently appointed as the member of Central Hajj Committee of India.
Pertinently, the Saudi government this year has put an age-bar for the pilgrims and only those below 65 years of age are entitled for the Hajj 2022. J&K Hajj Committee had extended the date after age-bar announcement from the Saudi government and April 22 was fixed as the last date of submission of Hajj2022 forms.
State Executive Committee Officer Dr Abdul Salaam Mir said that in total, 10,000 applications have been received by them and all the aspirants are below 65 years of age.
“Now that only, 5196 people are entitled for Hajj as per the quota announced, we have no choice other than to go for draw of lots,” he said. “Draws will be held after April 26 and list of those selected, will be put on the Hajj Committee website,” he said.
