By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net,
Kochi: Those selected for this year’s Haj and need special passports should apply within July 5, said the Kerala State Haj Committee. Application for special passport can be submitted by those who have not yet applied for international passports, those who have applied for but have not got international passports and those whose passports will go out of date by the time they return after Haj.
The applicants should contact the state Haj Committee Office with a passport-sized colour photo to collect their Haj selection certificate. The certificate should be submitted at the Regional Passport Offices to apply for the Special Haj Passport, and passports will be delivered within 15 days.
Those selected for Haj and won’t be able to submit their passports by 31st August, because of working abroad, shall write directly to the Central Haj Committee in Mumbai to extend their time.
International passport has been made compulsory for all Haj pilgrims from this year onwards. Since many applicants for Haj in the country did not have international passports, the central government decided to allot them special passports for Haj. The decision was taken in a special meeting of Passport Officers and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs held in Bangalore early this month.
This year, 1, 15,000 Indians will go to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj under the Haj Committee.