Kerala   

Ahamed: over a lakh to undertake Haj

Nedumbassery: More than one lakh pilgrims from India would be leaving for Mecca this year to perform Haj, Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed has said.

Talking to news men here on Thursday, he said the Union government had already ensured accommodation for one lakh pilgrims in the ‘Holy Land.’

This year, though the Saudi government had cut down the quota of pilgrims for various countries including India in the light of ongoing development works at Mecca, India succeeded in raising the quota to 1.1 lakh, he said.

Earlier, the Saudi government had allowed only 43,000 pilgrims from India. But taking into account the large number of applicants from the country, the Ministry could succeed to add another 57,000, Mr. Ahamed said.

Air India would carry about 51,000 pilgrims. Saudi Arabian Airlines and some private operators would fly the rest.

This year, the government of India had allotted 17 airports as embarkation points for pilgrims. Varanasi is the new addition, the Minister said.

The applications for allotment till August 2007 were approved. Pilgrims can bring ‘Zam Zam water’ (holy water) on own, he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Minister’s assurance to Kerala
Kerala police detain 3 Afghans
Stacked up
Music to weave monsoon magic
Farm awards announced
Pact for more bus services
Devaswom commissioner’s affidavit
The cover girl from Kannur
Camp for pilgrims
Not much relief from relief work
Ahamed: over a lakh to undertake Haj
Plea to waive all farm loans
Littered
Green lungs
campus notes

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu