By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net,
Kozhikode: In light of the rise in the number of Haj pilgrims from Kerala, the State Haj Committee has decided to arrange enhanced facilities at the haj camp at Nedumbassery airport.
This year, a total of 10,028 pilgrims–the highest in 15 years–are expected to leave for Haj through State Haj Committee quota.To put this in perspective, 5,633 pilgrims from the state visited Mecca last year.
Haj committee chairman Kottumala Bappu Musliyar told Twocircles.net that the number of volunteers would be increased and the medical facilities along with amenities at the camp would be improved in order to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims. He added that a meeting of volunteers and functionaries of various sub committees would be convened soon after Ramadan.
This year, the national Haj committee increased the state’s quota following a long pending request of the state committee. Besides, the state got 49 Mehram seats in addition to 29 unavailed seats from other states, six seats from Prime Minister’s quota and one from Vice President’s quota.
The state committee received 7,647 applications for the pilgrimage. As many as 8,317 applicants who had applied unsuccessfully for the past five years consecutively and 1,626 applicants under reserved category for those above 70 years of age have been selected to the allotted seats. Kottumal said that the new LDF government was extending due consideration towards the demands of the Haj committee.
The first Haj flight from the state will leave for Jeddah on August 22 and the Haj camp will start function on August 20.