No Draw Of Lots If Number Of Applicants Low: J&K Haj Committee

SRINAGAR: The J&K State Haj Committee announced on Saturday that, in the event that the committee receives lesser applications, there would be no drawing of lots (Qurah Andazi) this year, and those having completed the requisite procedure, will be picked for the holy pilgrimage.

The committee has urged all those who wish to perform the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, to submit their applications by January 15 without any delay.

The J&K State Haj Committee, according to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Shujaat Qureshi has already extended the last date for submission of forms by nearly one month, and that no further extension will be granted in this direction after January 15.

“There would be no drawing of lots this year, in case the J&K State Haj Committee receives a lesser application this year. And those having completed the procedure will be selected for the holy pilgrimage. So we request all the aspirants to submit their forms by January 15,” Qureshi told the media.

Only 7000 applications out of the total 9000 allocated quota for the J&K Union Territory have so far been received by the J&K State Haj Committee, he added. According to Qureshi, the lastminute rush slows down the online procedure, besides creating obstacles.

Regarding the arrangements for pilgrims, he said, since the Union Ministry for Minority Affairs signed the bilateral agreement well on time, the arrangements, hopefully will be much better this year.

Responding to a separate query on the number of women who want to perform Hajj without a "Mahram," he said the committee has received 52 forms till date, and the age requirement for those wishing to perform the Hajj without a Mahram is set at 45 years.

He said the State Haj Committee has already extended the last date for submission of forms by nearly a month from December 20 to January 15, and that no further extension will be granted after the stipulated time.