Karnataka - Mysore   

Daylong training camp conducted for Haj pilgrims

Staff Correspondent

778 people from the three districts are going to Makkah this year

MYSORE: Hundreds of Muslims from Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts, who are planning to embark on the annual Haj pilgrimage this year participated in a daylong training session organised here on Tuesday.

The training programme was inaugurated by Minister for Haj and Wakfs Zameer Ahmed Khan at the Southern Function Hall on Shivaji Road in Mysore. The 500 Haj pilgrims were immunised against diseases besides being told about various religious rituals to be followed during the pilgrimage.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Khan said 778 people from three districts would be leaving for the annual Haj pilgrimage in Makkah this year. "Out of the 778 people, 478 had been selected by the Karnataka State Haj Committee while the remaining are travelling through private travel agencies," he said.

Out of 11,000 applicants for Haj this year, as many as 6,600 have been selected under the quota for Karnataka. Mr. Khan appealed to those who did not get a chance to go on a pilgrimage not to be disheartened. He urged them to pray for an opportunity next year.

He said the Karnataka Haj Committee had introduced a software for maintaining data on pilgrims from this year. The software would prevent people from making a second Haj pilgrim before mandatory expiry of five years. The new software would identify second-time applicants and ensure that first-time applicants receive priority in selection. "The selection process is totally transparent," he said.

The new software could store the name, photo, address and fingerprints of all applicants.

The data would be shared with the Central Haj Committee and used every year to ensure first-time applicants do not lose out.

A replica of the Kaaba was created at the convention centre to facilitate the training session. Experts guided the pilgrims on various aspects of the Haj pilgrimage. State Haj Committee member Syed Irshadulla and others were present on the occasion.

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