Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Haj curbs: State to seek exemption

Mohd. Ahmedullah Syed

Hyderabad: The State government will seek exemption for Haj pilgrims of the State from the restrictions imposed by the Saudi Arabian government on elderly persons from undertaking pilgrimage in view of the swine flu threat.

“We will request the Government of India to take up the matter with the Saudi authorities. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy will soon write a letter,” said Mohd. Ahmedullah Syed, Minister for Minorities Welfare.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first Haj training camp here on Sunday. Allaying fears of the pilgrims about the restrictions, Mr. Ahmedullah said the government would do its best to seek exemption for the elderly pilgrims this year since the selection process was already over.

The Saudi government has decided not to allow persons above 65 years and children below 12 years to perform Haj this year in view of the flu threat.

About 1,200 of the 6,222 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh would be affected if the rule is applied. “In such an event the Haj Committee of India will hold a second qurrah from among the rejected applicants to fill the shortfall,” the Minister said. He said the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport authorities had agreed to reduce the user charges for the Haj pilgrims by 50 per cent on his representation.

Pilgrims would now have to pay only Rs. 500. He further said a special passport counter would be opened at Haj House on Monday for convenience of those undertaking the pilgrimage through private tour operators.

Earlier, Mufti Sadiq Mohiuddin, spoke at length about the importance of Haj and the various rituals connected with it.

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