Out of 17000 applicants from AP for the Haj only 7322 were selected.  But whether the selected ones are also will be lucky enough or not to go on the pilgrimage is a doubt now with the Saudi’s decision to cut 20% of the number of pilgrims due to the expansion work going on at Haj.  They are also going to reduce the domestic pilgrims by 50%.  But this is no solace to the aspiring Hajis from the State.  

The selected ones through lucky draw (qurrah) by the Haj Committee are 1.24 lakhs from India and 46 thousand from private operators totaling 1.70 lakhs of pilgrims.  If the number has to be reduced by 20%, they are not sure whether it will be proportionate or not.  With this problem they are facing, even if some of the Hajis cancel their program as suggested by the Saudi Government, still the ones on the wait list certainly will not get a chance to travel this year as the Executive Officer of the Haj Committee says.  

Saudi Government announced expansion work in Mataf and as such only 39000 will be accommodated per hour to pray.  And the Hajis opted for the green category that are to be accommodated near the Grand Mosque will have to be shifted to Azizia that is far away from it owing to the demolition of some of the buildings in Mecca.

(AW-SriJa)