Hyderabad: The draw of lots to select pilgrims for the Haj from Telangana state was held on Saturday. The Haj Committee of India has allotted 4,341 seats to the state on the basis of Muslim population.
Mr Ajay Misra, chief secretary, minorities welfare, inaugurated the computerised Qurrah (draw of lots) at Haj House. A total of 10,752 online applications were received, including 464 under the senior citizen category (above 70 years of age), and eight from women without mehram and 23 infants who will travel along with their parents. The selections were broadcast live on large screens within the Haj House premises.
Mr B. Shafiullah, executive officer, Telangana State Haj Committee, gave a brief note about the process of selections. He said the selected pilgrims can remit Rs 81,000 on or before February 1 and Rs 1.2 lakh on or before March 15 as first balance amount and submit their online forms along with original passport to the State Haj Committee. These amounts are common to all categories. The remittance can be made by pilgrims through the State Bank of India or Union Bank of India, or the online service on www.hajcommittee.gov.in. TS Haj Committee chairman Mohammed Masiullah Khan, Minorities Commission chairman Mohammed Qamaruddin, Wakf Board chairman Mohammed Saleem, corporators Mamata Gupta and M.A. Shafi, Central Haj Committee member Tayyaba Affandi and members of the Haj Committee were present.
