By TCN News,
Malappuram: The application forms for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be distributed from March 16 onwards, informed the Kerala Hajj Committee assistant secretary Aboobaker Chengat. Applications will be accepted till April 30.
The Central Hajj Committee which met Saturday had decided to accept the application forms for the pilgrimage from March 1 itself. But the date was extended to March 16 by the state Hajj Committee as time was needed to arrange the distribution of application forms. The Central government has also reportedly approved Kerala’s request to appoint a permanent secretary for the state Hajj Committee.
A bank slip of Rs 200 also should be attached along with the application form upon submission. Those who could not perform the Hajj for the last three consecutive years, even after applying, will be directly selected. The selection of the rest will take place in May. Those who are selected for the pilgrimage should pay the first installment of Rs 31,000 and submit their passports by June 15. Those in the waiting list should submit their passports by July 18. The final list of applications from each state will be handed over to the central Hajj Committee by July 29. The Malayalis working in Gulf countries will get a relaxation till July 29 to submit their passports. The first Hajj flight from the country will reportedly take off on September 27.
In the meeting held on Saturday, Kerala reportedly opposed the Central Hajj Committee suggestion that boys between five and 16 years of age should be allowed for the pilgrimage, citing that Hajj was not obligatory for children. Kerala argued that it would result in many elders losing their opportunity for Hajj.
Three categories will be allowed for pilgrims this year also. However, the accommodation facilities of the first two categories will be a bit farther from the Haram than in the previous years. The accommodation for the green category will be arranged within 1.2 kms from the Haram whereas it was within 1 km earlier. The white category will have accommodation within 2 kms from the Haram while it was within 1.6 kms earlier. However, there is no change in the accommodation for the Assissiya category and transportation between the place of accommodation and the Haram will be free, according to reports.