Sajad Kralyari
Srinagar, Sep 16: Hajj Committee of India (HCI) Wednesday gave an extra quota of 1500 seats to Jammu and Kashmir for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
However, only those aspiring Hajjis would be eligible for availing the additional quota who already possess passports.

“We’ve already registered 200 Azmeen Hajjis possessing passports for the additional quota,” said Executive Officer State Hajj Committee, Dr Abdus Salam.
On why passports had been made mandatory, Salam said they have directions from the Saudi Arabia government.
“Earlier, HCI would arrange passports for the Hajjis. However, having passport is mandatory for performing Hajj now. This is the decision taken by the Saudi government,” said Salam.
The officer said they were receiving huge response and the registration may touch 3000.
“We received good response after making the announcement. If there are more than 1500 aspirants, we’ll again resort to the draw of lots,” the officer said.
Salam said the Hajj committee had last year conveyed that the aspiring Hajjis should apply for passports.
“Aspiring Hajjis would already have got the passport by now,” he said.
The interested pilgrims have been asked to register themselves by 24 September.
“We’ve to dispatch the names of additional quota to HCI Mumbai by 30 September,” said Salam said.