JK got impressive Hajj Quota : Abdul Salam Mir
Abdul Salam Mir executive officer J&K Hajj Committee and Director, FCS&CA, in an exclusive interview with News Kashmir talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi.
Tell us a bit about Hajj 2022 participation of Kashmiri pilgrims?
We had initially received 12000 applications but due to the age bar imposed by the Saudi Government only 10000 applications were eligible. After draw of lots we were able to select the pilgrims as we got total 5281 quota , which was about 2200 more than deserving quota as due to Muslim majority Union territory we got this special treatment. We were able to take 700 pilgrims from Srinagar District but here the applications were about 2100.We also kept waiting list and if any one drops there would be draw of lots for that. We are also looking into arrangements of Ladakh UT pilgrims. What are the procedures since this first Haj after Pandemic Coronavirus?The guidelines at the time of depositing Hajj Form were at that time the aspiring Haj pilgrims should have dons both doses of covid Vaccine and then they should also have negative report of Covid in form of RTCPR before 72 hours of proceeding to the journey .
How many Khadim-ul-Hujjaj (KuH) are going this year ?
About 35 Khadim ul Hujjaj are going this year who will aid and train the Hajj pilgrims of our region.Why has quota been less ?The quota has been less due to pandemic Coronavirus which has not yet abated totally. If other States and UTs receive less response we would be able to accommodate more from waiting list .Still considering the situation and also population vise our quota is much large and impressive.
What is your message to the Hajj aspiring pilgrims?
The aspiring selected pilgrims should take utmost care of their health and be aware if they catch covid before journey especially 72 hours before then they can’t proceed . FOLLOW all the Covid protocols during Haj Journey .
Any demands from Saudi Government of having booster Dose of Hajis ?
No there is no such demand of having booster Dose of Haj pilgrims.
