By Syed Zainulabedin, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: Haj, one of the five tenets of Islam would cost 500 Saudi Riyal (SR) more this year for those Indian Muslims, who are going through State Haj Committees; Courtesy government of India. The price went up after the government abolished the “White Category” from this year.
Because there is a big shortage of buildings in and around Grand Mosque in Mecca the pilgrims could avail one and only “Green Category” facility at an extra cost. The pilgrims who paid 4000 SR last year would have to pay 4500 SR.
Hundreds of Muslims thronged in to Haj Houses in the country on Thursday, the first day of issuing application forms for the Haj 2012. As many as 1.25000 Muslims are expected to perform Haj this year through Haj Committees in India.
According to time table issued by the Mumbai based Central Haj Committee, the state Haj Committees will issue the application forms during all working days except Sundays and public holidays until 3 PM of April 16. Having an international passport valid until March 2013 has been mandatory for all intending pilgrims.
Dr. S. A. Shukoor, Executive Officer of AP State Haj Committee told TwoCircles.net that the last date for submitting the application forms is June 11,2012 and for Non Resident Indians, it is September 10. Intended pilgrims can download their application forms through Haj Committee websites.