HYDERABAD : Haj pilgrims from the State continue to face hard times. With 376 pilgrims yet to receive their passports, they are seen making the rounds of the Haj House at Nampally.

For Tuesday's flight, scheduled to depart at 6.10 am, only 250 of the 280 pilgrims will emplane for Madina in Saudia Arabia, as the passports of the remaining were not received till Monday evening. Of the 6,385 pilgrims scheduled to perform Haj 2006 from the State, 376 have not received their passports so far.

Worse, many pilgrims going as a group are disappointed with some of them not getting their passports.

"We were scheduled to depart on Sunday, but so far my passport has not been received," said Mohammed Yosuf of New Bhoiguda, Secunderabad. Interestingly, the passports of his wife and daughter have arrived, but they were forced to defer their journey.

Enquiries galore

Many pilgrims are faced with similar problems. At the Haj House, they were seen making anxious inquiries about their passports on Monday.

"The delay is not at our end. Passports of all the pilgrims are ready. They have been sent to the Saudi Embassy in Delhi for issue of visas. They will be coming soon," said Ghouse Mohiuddin, Chairman Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee.

The Saudi Embassy works for only four days a week and this has also led to the delay, it is said.

The visas for Haj were issued at the Saudi Embassy in Mumbai till last year.

This year, some of the 17 embarkation points have been allotted to the Saudi Embassy at Delhi.

This is also said to be a reason for the delay in the issue of passports and visas.

"All the pilgrims from the State will be going to perform Haj. Only their journey may be delayed by few days," said Mr. Mohiuddin.

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