Good news for Haj aspirants especially for women as the state govt has decided to give Maharam quota. Women can now accompany their male ‘Mahram’ (close kin) who are already selected for the pilgrimage this year. The Haj Committee of India has allotted 200 such seats for the entire country.
Women who couldn’t apply for Haj in time can now undertake pilgrimage if their close relatives are proceeding on Haj. The last date for applying for the Maharam quota is May 20. In case the number of applicants exceed, the selection would be made on the basis of ‘qurrah’ (draw of lots).
Deputy Chief Minister, Mohd Mahmood Ali during the orientation program for Haj Pilgrims here has announced that Hajj Pilgrims can also avail the free accommodation facility at the Nizam’s ‘Rubat’ in Makkah, as the Rubat row is almost solved and free accommodation of 600 Haj pilgrims is certain. Selection for the Rubat accommodation will be made for the pilgrims who opted for the ‘Azizia’ category.
Haj Committee of India is also making arrangements for ‘qurbani’ (animal sacrifice), Pilgrims need not bother about it as the state govt is in talk with the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia. A sum of 490 Saudi Riyals towards ‘qurbani’ and 110 Riyals towards food at Madina Munawwara will be deducted from the foreign exchange being provided to each pilgrim.