JEDDAH, 17 April 2008 — All pilgrims coming through Haj Committee of India will be accommodated within the traditional boundaries of the tent city of Mina this year, said E. Ahamed, Indian minister of state for external affairs.
In the past some pilgrims were put in tents which they complained were outside Mina.
It was also announced by the minister that pilgrims would be allowed to carry a Zamzam water can of 10 liters with them on their return journey at no additional cost. Addressing a press conference about the preparations for Haj 2008, Ahamed said the Indian mission in Jeddah is fully geared up to make this year’s pilgrimage smooth and comfortable. Indian Ambassador M.O.H. Farook was also present at the press conference.
Ahamed said pilgrims can look forward to streamlined arrangements in terms of accommodation and other services.
“We signed an agreement for Haj 2008 with Saudi government today. Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy signed from the Saudi side,” Ahamed said. “The Indian government has made every effort to provide all facilities to the pilgrims preparing to perform Haj this year,” he said.
“We have made arrangements with the South Asian Pilgrims Establishment (SAPE) to accommodate all pilgrims coming through Haj committee within the traditional boundaries of Mina,” he said.
Haj committee pilgrims will be put in exclusive Indian-only tents in Mina equipped with all necessary facilities, the minister said.
This year 157, 000 pilgrims from India will perform Haj, out of that 110,000 will come through Haj committee and the rest through private tour operators.
Air India and Saudi Arabian Airlines will lift these pilgrims from 17 embarkation points in India.
Ahamed said, “We have requested Saudi government to increase our quota by 15,000 this year so that maximum number of applicants could be accommodated.”
“The Saudi authorities are actively considering our request. If we get the additional quota it will be distributed among tour operators,” Ahamed said.
The minister also said that India might get an additional quota of 4,000 as a goodwill gesture from the Saudi government.
This year’s Haj Committee pilgrims will be put in three categories in Makkah based on their proximity to the Haram. The categories are: Green, 1,000 meters from the Haram for SR3,000; White, 1,600 meters from the Haram for SR2,200; and Aziziah for SR1,500.
Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed said that the Indian mission has signed a four-year agreement with SAPE to serve Indian pilgrims.
Apart from providing accommodation to pilgrims in Makkah, Mina and Arafat, SAPE provides 15 additional services. SAPE will provide blankets and pillows to all the pilgrims coming through Haj Committee, said Sayeed.
Ahamed referred to the huge construction activity that is going on in Makkah and said all the buildings that used to be hired before had been demolished in recent years. As a result, there are not many accommodations available in the close vicinity of the Holy Mosque.
Referring to the delay in transporting pilgrims back to India last year, the minister said he has requested Air India to make adequate arrangements for the smooth flow of pilgrims both to and from Saudi Arabia. “The Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with the Civil Aviation Ministry to sort out the issues. I have also spoken to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and he has assured me of his fullest cooperation to avoid any occurrence of unpleasant situation,” Ahamed said.
Speaking about orientation of pilgrims, Consul Haj Dr. Suhel Ejaz Khan said that training programs will be conducted in India to acquaint them with Haj rituals, its hardship and the facilities provided to them at holy sites.
“Pilgrims will be informed before they embark on the pilgrimage about the facilities they will be getting at the holy sites. They will also be told that they can carry Zamzam with them on return journey free,” Suhel said.
