The State Haj Committee on Thursday selected as many as 4,346 intending Haj pilgrims from the State for Haj – 2012.
The selection was done through Qurrah, computerised draw of lots, at the Haj House at Nampally. Of 15,328 applicants, the intending pilgrims were selected based on the percentage of Muslim population in each district. It may be mentioned that a total of 1,418 pilgrims have already been declared selected under the reserved categories.
The entire process of Qurrah last for nearly two hours. While Hyderabad got the maximum quota of 981 pilgrims, Srikakulam got the least quota of five pilgrims. The Nellore district had a surplus quota of 23 pilgrims. As against the allotted quota of 154 seats, only 131 applications were received from the district. Similarly, only 44 applications were received from West Godavari district against the allotted quota of 49 pilgrims. The surplus quota of 28 was later distributed among other districts.
While pilgrims from Anantapur would leave for the pilgrimage from Bengaluru, the Gulbarga and Bidar pilgrims would go to Mecca via Hyderabad.
Speaking on the occasion, SHC Executive Officer MA Hameed said that the all the selected pilgrims would be sent a reference number in the next few days. A health card will also be issued to all the selected pilgrims. He said it would be compulsory for the pilgrims to attend the training camps to be organised across the State.
The selected pilgrims will have to deposit the first installment of Rs 51,000 along with their original international passport by June 11. The Haj Committee will announce the date for payment of other installments later.
The Executive Officer informed that the accommodation under Azizia category would cost around Rs 1.20 lakh and under Green Category it would be around Rs 1.30 lakh. However, the final prices would be decided during the Haj Conference to be held in New Delhi on May 22.
The selection of Khadim-ul-Hujjaj (servants of pilgrims) will be done on May 19. The State Haj Committee has received a total of 131 applications. Of them, 30 have already been rejected for technical reasons. On May 19, as many as 20 applicants will be selected as Khadim-ul-Hujjaj.
Urdu Academy director and member of Building Selection Committee Prof SA Shukoor assured that proper buildings would be selected for the State pilgrims. The committee would be visiting the holy city of Mecca from June 4 – 21 to select the buildings for Indian pilgrims. (INN)