JEDDAH, 29 October 2005 — As a way to commiserate and offer comfort, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq said yesterday relatives of people killed in the devastating earthquake would be given top priority for Haj this year.
Speaking to Arab News from Makkah, Ejaz, who is in the Kingdom to perform Umrah, said the kin of those quake victims whose Haj applications had been accepted may perform Haj in their place. He, however, said the Haj Ministry would refund the money in case the kin of a victim did not wish to perform Haj.
“It will take time to heal the wounds. I’m in a state of deep sorrow over the deaths of Pakistanis in this natural catastrophe. I’m especially here to pray for those who have lost their lives and to seek God’s mercy for those affected.”
Ejaz thanked the Saudi leadership for extending great help at this time of distress. He specially thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his generous donation and said it indicated his love for Pakistan and its people.
Regarding the arrangements for the forthcoming Haj, he said that 26,000 pilgrims from Karachi and Islamabad would directly fly to Madinah through Pakistan International Airlines flights.
A total of 90,000 pilgrims will come under government scheme while 60,000 will arrive through private tour operators. “All residential buildings we hired have been approved by the Saudi Ministry of Haj,” he said.
“The buildings hired so far are for 77,000 pilgrims, while the ministry is looking for more buildings to accommodate some 13,000 pilgrims,” said Ejaz.
The pilgrims are divided into White and Green categories according to distance from the Grand Mosque.
Those who will stay within 1,300 meters from the Grand Mosque are in the White category. They will have to pay Rs.114,000. The buildings in the Green category are 1,100 meters from the Grand Mosque. The Green category pilgrims will have to pay Rs.126,000, said the minister.
Ejaz said his ministry has blacklisted 21 tour operators who violated laws and did not provide services. He said his ministry would take action against the erring tour operators after Ramadan.
