Cabinet reviews Haj preparations

The Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, reviewed the Kingdom’s preparations for the annual pilgrimage, which is likely to start on Oct. 2.
Prince Salman highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the service of pilgrims, including the expansion of the two holy mosques and the implementation of giant projects in the holy sites for the welfare of the guests of God.
The Kingdom has deployed about 70,000 officers, including traffic POLICE, to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.
About 900,000 foreign pilgrims have already arrived from different parts of the world.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet expressed its pride on the Kingdom’s 84th National Day, while highlighting the progress it has achieved under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The Cabinet also reviewed regional and global efforts to combat terrorism and praised a statement issued by the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars denouncing terrorism as a heinous CRIME and backing the government’s campaign to fight extremists and terrorists.
The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s deep regret for events taking place in Yemen, which threaten its security and stability, and welcomed an agreement of peace and national partnership signed by political parties.
Saudi Arabia hopes that this agreement would enable Yemen to overcome the present crisis, pointing out what was expressed by the GCC Ministerial Council following a meeting in New York emphasizing the six-member group’s support for Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to maintain legitimacy and stop bloodshed.
Khoja said the Cabinet approved a defense cooperation agreement with Indonesia, which was signed in Jakarta on 22/03/1435H. It also endorsed another accord with the UN Office for Coordination on Humanitarian Affairs.
The Cabinet renewed the membership of Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Samari in the Board of Directors of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). It appointed Dr. Hani Aburas, Dr. Abdulwahid bin Khalid Al-Hamid, Abdullah bin Said Al-Mubti, Mansour bin Saleh Al-Maiman, Abdullah bin Ali Al-Majdouie, and Abdulwahab bin Mohammed Al-Fayez as members of the Board of Directors of SCTA for three years.
The Cabinet reshuffled the board of directors of the Riyadh Development Authority, with the Riyadh governor as its chairman. The 14-member board includes representatives from various government departments.
The Cabinet also reshuffled the INSURANCE Dispute Settlement Committee in Riyadh.
Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Amoghaiuli is the new chairman, while Dr. Ayedh bin Sultan Al-Buqami and Dr. Miteb bin Saleh Al-Ashaiwi are members.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/634396

HAJJ FROM AMERICA

PLEASE VISIT BELOW LINK TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HAJJ PILGRIMAGE FROM THE UNITED STATES.


http://www.chicagohajj.com/index.asp

HAJJ-GOT TO GO.........

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISLAM.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE HAJJ 2011.

http://www.hajinformation.com/index.htm

YOU CAN GET KNOWLEDGE TO PERFORM HAJJ RITUALS,RULES AND REGULATIONS ETC...

READ, GET ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE AND CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ALLAH,THE ONE AND ONLY,AND PROPHET MUHAMMADH SAL.

Haj forms to be distributed from March 16

 The AP Haj Committee will start distributing the Haj application forms throughout the state from March 16.

A meeting of the Haj committee was held today during which it was decided to distribute the forms through the members of the Haj committee in some districts besides volunteer Haj committees in other districts.

During the meeting convened by committee chairman Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed, the issue of better facilities and amenities to the pilgrims, right from filing of applications till their return, came up for discussion.

The committee will visit Rajiv Gandhi International airport and seek extension of the area of the Haj terminal and provide facilities like a larger area for prayers for women, visitors and a shade for them.

The Chairman also approved the Haj society of Nizamabad district which is supervised by committee member Habeebuddin Ahmed.

Haj reunites sisters from three different countries

The Haj pilgrimage this year has reunited three Indian sisters who now live in different countries, giving them an opportunity to relive memories of their childhood which they spent in Allahabad.

Shahana Mirza, Farzana Mirza and Durdana Mirza happened to make it to the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year by sheer coincidence and are savouring the moment.

In 1977, Shahana, the eldest of the Mirza sisters, married a distant cousin of hers in Karachi in Pakistan and has made it to India only thrice since then. Two years later, Farzana married Yawar Siddiqui, who then worked in Chicago.

Durdana married an engineer in Bangalore. Her husband is accompanying her to Haj and so is Yawar, Farzana's husband.

For all of them it is a great reunion. "It seldom happens this way, and it was never planned. We applied for Haj in India through the government-supervised Haj Committee. Too many people apply, and pilgrims are decided through a computerised draw of lots. We were lucky to have been chosen this year," Shakir Bazmi, Durdana's husband, told 'Arab News'.

"We wrote to Shahana in Pakistan and she told us they too were coming to Saudi Arabia for Haj. We were delighted beyond words. Then the word came that their sister in the United States was also going to perform. Our happiness knew no bounds. For the sisters it was like a fairy tale," said Bazmi.

The three sisters met last week in the vicinity of the holy Kaaba in Mecca. They hugged each other and relived their childhood memories.

"We did meet on different occasions, sometimes in India, sometimes in Pakistan, but we were never at one place together," said Durdana.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/haj-reunites-sisters-from-three-different-countries-67775?cp

HAJ 2010

Yesterday marked the start of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Press Agency said that a record number of Muslims were expected to make the Hajj this year - over 3.4 million anticipated over the five days of the pilgrimage. One of the pillars of Islamic faith, the Hajj must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by any Muslim who has the ability to do so. Pilgrims perform a series of rituals including walking around the Kaaba, standing vigil on Mount Arafat and a ritual Stoning of the Devil. At the end of the Hajj, on November 16th, the three day festival of Eid al-Adha begins around the world. 


(34 photos total)
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/hajj_2010.html

LIVE FROM MAKKAH AND MADINAH

makkah

mms://38.96.148.74/Quran2

madinah

mms://38.96.148.74/Sunna2

Eid Greetings From President Obama

Michelle and I extend our greetings for a happy Eid-ul-Adha to Muslims
worldwide and wish safe travels to those performing Hajj.  This year,
nearly three million pilgrims from more than 160 countries - including
the United States - have gathered in Mecca and neighboring sites to
perform the Hajj rituals and stand together in prayer.

On Eid, Muslims around the world will commemorate Abraham’s
willingness to sacrifice his son, and distribute food to those less
fortunate - a reminder of the shared values and the common roots of
three of the world's major religions.

On behalf of the American people, we extend our best wishes during
this Hajj season – Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mabrour.


http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Eid-Greetings-From-President-Obama.aspx

Islam in the Land of the Rising Sun

The road to Hajj in the Land of the Rising Sun begins with the little known fact that there are ethnic Japanese Muslims. Everyday the call to prayer is made in different corners of the predominantly Buddhist country - unobtrusively within the confines of its 50 or so mosques and approximately 100 musollas or communal prayer rooms. Twenty-six-year-old Kubo-san prays at a small musolla in the agricultural district of Saitama, about two hours outside the capital, Tokyo. Built 15 years ago by Bangladeshi workers, Kubo is the only ethnic Japanese in the congregation. "I was born into a very ordinary Japanese family," he says. "We did not have a strong sense of religion." Kubo's upbringing mirrors that of many Japanese - their attitudes and philosophy towards life shaped by the ancient religion of Shinto. An ancient polytheistic faith, Shinto involves the worship of nature and is unique to Japan. While divination and shamanism is used to gain insights into the unknown, there are no formal scriptures or texts, nor a legacy of priesthood that structures the religion. After the Second World War, Shinto suffered a huge setback when the emperor was forced to denounce his status as a 'living god'. While many historians would claim that the Japanese people lost their faith after this, recent surveys suggest that at least 85 per cent still profess their belief in both Shintoism and Buddhism. 'Special meaning' "The first I knew about Islam was in my school days," Kubo says. "The schools in Japan usually teach history. I knew about Islam in such history classes. Although I knew only a little bit, it shook my soul strongly." His interest in Islam developed as he read more about it, but it was only when he began to meet expatriate Muslims in Japan that he considered converting. Now, he is preparing to go on Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, for the first time. "We Muslims pray five times a day towards Mecca. And pray 'peace be upon Prophet Muhammad'. He was born in this town and started Islam in Mecca. So for Muslims, it has a special meaning to go to Mecca. I feel honoured that I have this opportunity to go there." 'First step' But just five years ago, Kubo's pilgrimage would not have been possible. Reda Kenawy is Egyptian but he moved to Japan when he was in his twenties. He worked for a travel agency and decided to branch out to form his own agency specialising in organising Hajj pilgrimages for Japanese Muslims. Japan's small Muslim community is tightly-knit "All my staff said I was crazy when I wanted to plan the Hajj trip," Kenawy says. "In terms of business aspects, there must be a demand in the market to cover the costs. It would not work if there are no Muslims going." "So I told them someone has to start, someone has to take the first step, then others could take it from there." But, it was an uphill task, particularly when dealing with the Saudi Arabian authorities. Kenawy says they told him: "We've never heard of Japanese Muslims and we've never heard of Hajj trips organised from Japan." "So I told them there were Muslims in Japan and I was there as a Japanese. I have the Japanese nationality and I was representing Japan and wanted to bring Japanese pilgrims for Hajj. "They said I couldn't and that my passport was forged and I looked Egyptian." 'Honour and happiness' Kenawy persisted in his quest to take Muslim pilgrims from Japan to Mecca and five years on, his travel agency is one of only two registered companies that have been sanctioned by the Saudi government to organise Hajj pilgrimages for Japanese Muslims. The number of pilgrims using Kenawy's agency has grown year on year, but for him the most encouraging development is the increase in ethnic Japanese Muslims. "Right now, we have 90 per cent foreigners and 10 per cent [ethnic Japanese]. My dream is to have the opposite - to have 90 per cent Japanese or maybe 99 per cent original Japanese and only one per cent foreigners." Abdullah Taki is a 36-year-old former body-piercer who converted to Islam in 2006. He made his Hajj pilgrimage in 2007. "For me, the meaning of visiting the Kaabah is not to see a building but to visit God's home, to meet God," he says. "At first, when we reached the country by airplane, we entered Madina before entering the city of Mecca. Although I could not see the area because I was in the airplane, when I heard the announcement that we [were there], I shed tears unconsciously. "I felt an indescribable sense of honour and happiness. I was very deeply touched." Camaraderie Like Kubo, Taki's contact with Muslims in Japan started mainly with the expatriate community. Every Friday, Muslims from Turkey, the Middle East, Central Asia, China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Japan pray together in Tokyo's Cami Mosque, which is modeled on Turkey's beautiful Blue Mosque. Kubo learnt about Islam from Muslim expatriates in Japan There are no official records of the number of ethnic Japanese Muslims but some estimates put it at 10,000 - about a tenth of the country's total Muslim population. The community of Japanese Muslims is so small that when they meet new faces for the first time, a sense of camaraderie is immediately established. Higouch-san is 73 years old and has been a Muslim for more than 45 years. Mahmuda Saito is 63 and converted more than 30 years ago. Both know how difficult it can be to practice Islam in Japan. When Higouch and Saito became Muslims there were only two mosques in the whole of Japan. "It was very difficult. We Japanese have our own culture and traditions so it is quite difficult to carry out five prayers a day and fasting for a month," Higouch says. 'Planting seeds' Saito is preparing to go on Hajj for the first time. As for many other Japanese Muslims, this involves a lot of self-study. "It is not a normal holiday so I try to start from the preparation of my heart," she says. "To learn how to prepare my mind to carry out the Hajj rituals, I read the books regarding the Hajj everyday at home. I would like to absorb the knowledge of the Hajj as much possible before the trip. "It could be my last Hajj ... [so] I visit this holy city to try to feel the life of the Prophet and his companions of a long time ago." Kenawy will be leaving Japan with 120 pilgrims - seven of whom are ethnic Japanese and going on Hajj for the first time and he is hopeful that this number will continue to grow. "Like when you plant a seed and watch it grow, it can easily die or grow to be a big tree with many branches which cover everything. But it's not a tree yet. It's very easy to be broken now," he says. "But with all the people's support, I think 10 or 20 years from now, maybe I'm not here, I can see there will be an organisation like a ministry for Hajis like in Singapore or Indonesia." Road to Hajj - Japan can be seen on Tuesday, November 9, at 0630GMT, and on Friday, November 12, at 1630GMT.

Source: Al Jazeera

http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/hajj/2009/11/2009111011825150196.html

Haj plan being put in place

 The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will today start implementing its plan for this year's Haj season, aimed at enabling the guests of God to perform their rituals in peace.

The strategy will remain in place until the end of the pilgrimage season, Dul Hijjah 30 (Dec. 6), Deputy President of the Presidency Muhammad ibn Nasser Al-Khuzaim announced Friday.

“The plan is aimed at ensuring an ideal atmosphere for worship inside the Two Holy Mosques and their surrounding plazas and courtyards,” he told Arab News, adding that under the plan, pilgrims will be guided on how to perform the Haj rites correctly.

Al-Khuzaim said the presidency is keen to provide all necessary services and prepare all facilities to be used by the pilgrims.

He said over 5,700 people including official staff, temporary employees and seasonal workers will carry out the plan and added that the number of preachers has also been increased this year.

According to Al-Khuzaim, the President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will hand over the new Kaaba kiswa (dress) to the chief guardian of the Grand Mosque on the first day of Dul Hijjah and said all carpets inside the Grand Mosque will be rolled out to avoid impeding the movement of pilgrims and prevent the spread of any contagious diseases.

He said the blessed Zamzam water would be distributed among Hajis at their accommodation, but urged pilgrims not to take it inside the mosque to avoid spillages on the floor and making it slippery.

Al-Khuzaim said there were 43 locations with 340 taps spread across the ground, first, second and top levels of the Masaa where pilgrims can drink Zamzam water. He said these facilities are not be used for ablution.

He added that four Zamzam water points with 110 fountains were established around the Tawaf area.

Al-Khuzaim said the Masaa has been expanded and all its floors, including the underground, ground, first, second and roof levels, have been made ready for pilgrims.

He said the passages for pilgrims and wheelchairs have been greatly expanded to allow easy movement and said 74 marble lockers have been placed on the ground floor for the storage of shoes.

The deputy president said amplifiers were placed in the courtyards and plazas of the two mosques so that worshippers could easily listen out for prayer calls and added that seven temporary bridges and mobile stairs have been installed to facilitate the easy movement of worshippers.

Al-Khuzaim said 62 bathrooms have been set up near the eastern Al-Fath door with 100 taps for ablution.

Fifth floor of Jamrat Bridge opens for Haj

The fifth floor of the high tech Jamrat Bridge in Mina will be open to pilgrims this Haj season, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs said Saturday.

“The opening of the fifth floor will facilitate the stoning ritual at Jamrat,” said Habeeb Zainul Abideen, deputy minister for municipal and rural affairs.

Abideen was addressing a conference on medicine attended by 500 delegates. He described Haj as the largest congregation of people in the world and highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts to avoid stampedes and other accidents during the annual event.

Abideen said the irresponsible behavior of some pilgrims causes problems not only for Saudi Haj managers, but also fellow Hajis. He urged all pilgrims to follow safety instructions.

There are 90 cameras around Jamrat to monitor the movement of pilgrims and prevent possible stampedes. These cameras will also enable Haj managers to assess how many pilgrims each floor of the bridge can hold.

“We have also arranged for vehicles to carry pilgrims with special needs to help them perform the stoning ritual without any difficulty,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, spoke about new plans for crowd management at Jamrat as well as in the mataf, the circling area around the Holy Kaaba where pilgrims perform tawaf, and the masaa, the running area between Safa and Marwa where Hajis perform saie.

Out of the 2.5 million people who come for Haj every year, 700,000 pilgrims walk to the holy sites, he said, adding that 75,000 buses and other vehicles are used to transport the other pilgrims.

The Haram Mosque in Makkah can hold 700,000 worshippers, while the mataf can hold 53,000 and the masaa 118,000.

Dr. Ziyad Maimish, assistant undersecretary at the Health Ministry for preventive medicine, said the ministry would mobilize about 17,000 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff and 39 mobile medical teams for Haj duty.

Makkah metro

 The newly established Mashair Railway, which links the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa with Makkah, will have a 30-day test run before opening to transport domestic and GCC pilgrims during the upcoming Haj season.

Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb will inspect the railway (also known as the Makkah Metro) on Tuesday to make sure the facility is ready to transport the guests of God. The railway will bring about a dramatic change in pilgrim transportation between the holy sites.

Established at a cost of SR6.5 billion, the new railway will have a capacity to transport 72,000 pilgrims in an hour. Nine stations have been constructed in Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifa, each having three stations. This is the second largest project implemented by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs after the SR4.5 billion high-tech Jamrat Bridge project in Mina.

Habib Zain Al-Abidine, deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs, said the railway will have 10 trains in the first phase, each with a length of 300 meters. “Each train will carry 3,000 passengers.”

He said Saudi authorities have not yet fixed the fare. “The matter is in the hands of Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee. Once the prince gives his directives, we’ll announce the fare,” he said.

The time for transporting pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa will be reduced to five minutes on the 9th of Dul Hijjah when the faithful will move together from the plain of Arafat to Muzdalifa. And another five minutes will take them from Muzdalifa to Mina on the 10th.

Zain Al-Abidine said the railway would operate throughout the year.

A Makkah metro train during a test run. (AN photo)

The second phase of the project will link Mashair Railway with the Grand Mosque in Makkah with a station on Umm Al-Qura Road. It will also be linked with the Haramain Railway that connects Makkah with Madinah and Jeddah.

The trains will have a test run covering 6,000 km each before starting regular operations. The first test run took place last Thursday. The railway will have 20 trains in the next stage, each with 12 carriages and each carriage holding 250 passengers. About 20 percent of passengers will be seated while 80 percent will be standing. Trains will have a speed of 80 to 120 km/hour.

THE HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA-COVER NUMBER

The date of Qurrah (draw of lots) for the Pilgrims of Haj-2010 was fixed from 20th May, 2010 to 5th June, 2010. Thereafter, concerned State Haj Committees are being issued selection letter to the head of the Cover of all selected Pilgrims along with regular Haj Application Form and Guidelines. The selection letter is generated on computer, showing Cover Number and 12 digit bank reference number. All selected intending Pilgrims have to fill-up the Application Form from 01-06-2010 to 30-06-2010. Before submission of passport, one photograph should be stapled on the cover page of passport. The initial amount of Rs.30,700/- per head should be deposited to any branch of the State Bank of India, through Core Banking account No.311336268352. The bank slip along with the regular application from and passport to be submitted to the concerned State Haj Committee by or before 30th June, 2010, positively.

Any pilgrim required Bank Reference Number  also get from website i.e. www.hajcommittee.com . The details are as under.

Pilgrim Information - > Cover Enquiry -> Enter your cover No.

HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA - ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HAJ – 1431 (H) - 2010

The Haj Committee of India is pleased to announce the Programme for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010, to call Haj Applications From Indian Muslims above 16yrs. of age, who intend to perform Haj and holding valid International Passport. Single Haj Application Form for provisional registration for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010, are available with all the State Haj Committees with effect from 1st April 2010, the same may be collected from State Haj Committees, free of cost. If any individual or organization is found charging money for the same, this may immediately be reported to Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee of India.

Single Haj Application Forms are available on the website of Haj Committee of India www.hajcommittee. com The Pilgrims are advised to download the same and submit the application duly completed in the respect along with pay-in slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim towards non refundable provisional processing fee, in the respective State Haj Committees on or before 30th April, 2010. The photo copies of forms will also be accepted by State Haj Committees.

The Haj Application Form should be dully filled in accordance with the instruction on the Haj Application Form for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. Pilgrims, in their own interest, are requested to fill the Application Form by self. He/She should thoroughly go through the Guidelines before filling Haj Application Form. Haj Application Form complete in all respect must reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the concerned State/Union Territory Haj Committee on or before 30th April, 2010.


The competent authority has decided to directly confirm the applications of those Pilgrims whose applications have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years, during Haj 2007 – 2009. In order to get the benefit of this scheme during ensuing Haj, the applicant along with his co-pilgrims have to indicate the cover number in the column mentioned for that purpose. The application, which does not match with previous year Cover Number, the entire applications will be registered as a fresh applications and will be included in General Category. Option once made at the time of registration, will not be changed at any cost.


Those applicants who have been selected earlier but have cancelled their journey due to any reason will not be considered under Reserved Category. Their applications shall be considered as fresh, and will be registered in General Category.


All the intending Pilgrims are informed that Haj Committee of India, Mumbai has no administrative relations with any person or organization to conduct the Haj affairs, except the duly constituted State Haj Committees.

The single Application Form for Provisional registration should be filled in legibly and the particular requires to be recorded therein needs to be written in English and all in BLOCK LETTERS.


Incomplete Application is liable to be rejected.

Please ensure that all particulars including your signature/thumb impression recorded in the Application Forms is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. It needs to be noted that the false information furnished or suppression of facts shall lead to rejection of application.

The Application Form should be submitted through your respective State Haj Committee only. Details of address of the concerned State Haj Committees are given with application Form. Application directly sent to Haj Committee of India, Mumbai should not be entertained.
(10) The following persons are not entitled to make Application for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010.

Those who have performed Haj during last FIVE years viz. during block year 2006 – 2009. This restriction applies even for Haj-e-Badal.

Those suffering Tuberculosis, AIDS or other communicable disease or are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physical incapacitated.

The male Children in the age group 5 to 16 years are not permitted.

Infants, who would complete two years of age on 31st December 2010 i.e. till the arrival of last inwards Haj Charter Flight shall be allowed to travel accompany of their parents.

The lady Pilgrims should be accompanied with Sharai Mehram provided that Mehram should not be a Repeater.


Each Application Form is required to be accompanied by pay-in-Slip issued by State Bank of India the amount of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim deposited in current Account No. 30683623887 towards non- refundable processing fee. (i.e. maximum Rs.1000/- per application this amount can be paid either by cash or through bank transfer in the current account no. 30683623887 IFS code SBIN0000300 maintained with the State Bank of India, Main Branch Mumbai.) and photo copies of valid International Passports if available OR valid address/Residential proof if applied for passport.

The Application Form duly filled in and accompanied Pay-in-Slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim for processing fee should reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the State / Union Territory Haj Committee on or before the 30th April 2010. No Application Form received after expiry of the Closing date shall be entertained.


A maximum number of five (5) persons comprising the family members or close relatives can make Application in a single cover. It is in the interest of the Pilgrims to ensure that only family members having Blood relatives are included in the cover. The head of the cover should be responsible for all the payments of the Persons included in the cover under the circumstances and refund shall issue in favour of him later on if any, An alien person should not be included in the cover. Haj Committee of India has no objection to register a cover with a single Application/ Pilgrim.


CONFIRMATION

This is not selection. It is computerized form for provisional registration for Haj 2010. Haj Committee of India after obtaining details about total number of application received by the State Haj Committee shall decide about holding Qurrah (Lottery),if necessary. The computerized Qurrah shall be held by the State Haj Committee on date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai.


The seats are allotted to the State proportionate to the Muslim Population based on the last Census of 2001. If any State Haj Committee receives less applications, remaining seats surrendered in favour of Haj Committee of India would be utilized for confirmation of seats of the other States, where the applications have been received in excess of the Quota.


Out of the total seats allotted to the State Haj Committees, the applications of those Pilgrims, who have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years will be give confirmed status, without holding Qurrah (draw of lots), during Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. This confirmation without Qurrah will be applicable to only those States where Qurrah was conducted in the year 2007-2009. If the number of applications received in Reserved Category by the State/Union Territory Haj Committee is less than final quota till the closing date, the balance seats will be made available for the General Category Pilgrims and the State/Union Territory Haj Committees shall hold Qurrah of such seats on the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India. However, if the numbers of rejected applications are more than the Quota allotted to a particular State/Union Territory, in that case State/ Union Territory Haj Committee shall hold Qurrah for rejected Pilgrims only, on the fixed date by the Haj Committee of India, and no fresh applications register under General Category can be entertained.


Confirmation of success in Qurrah (Lottery) system shall be communicated to the intending Pilgrims by the respective State Haj Committees after getting them confirmed status from Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. Thereafter selected Pilgrims will have to fill-up the Haj Application Form and to be submitted to State Haj Committee on or before the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. The confirmation will be done against district wise quota.


At the time of submission of regular Haj Application intending Pilgrim should deposit 30% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare & other charges and also send their original International Passport to State Haj Committee. The remaining 70% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare and other charges be paid upto 31st August, 2010.

The Saudi Arabia Government has intimated that Haj Visa will be endorsed on International Passport only. Thus intending Pilgrims must posses International passport and photo copy of Passport should be attached with Application Form. Those who presently do not have International passport can also apply but they should try to get International Passport as early as possible.

For any further enquiry:
Phone : 022 – 22612989 (6 Lines),
Fax : 022 - 22620 920

Chief Executive Officer
Haj Committee of India,
Haj House,
7 – A, M. R. A. Marg (Palton Road),
Mumbai – 400 001.



By time (through the ages), Verily humans are in loss, Except those who have Belief in God, and do Righteous Good Deeds, (i.e. to perform all kinds of good deeds which God has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which God has forbidden), and Recommend one another to the Truth and Patience (towards the happenings, sufferings, injuries, losses or profits which one may encounter in his journey towards salvation ). [Al - Quran, Surah Asr:103]

Hajj or Pilgrimage - The Fifth Pillar of Islam

Hajj literally means, "to continuously strive to reach one's goal." The Hajj, or Pilgrimage to Mecca, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.

The Hajj is essentially a re-enactment of the rituals of the great prophets and teachers of faith. Pilgrims symbolically relive the experience of exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Mecca. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of the wife of Abraham, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, the pilgrims also commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. God later substituted a ram in place of his son.

Performing the rituals of Hajj provides a reminder of how the great prophets and teachers of faith established a deep and personal relationship with God. As the pilgrim makes his supplications to God, he realizes that He is asking of the same God that answered the prayers of those before him. These reminders are an important part of strengthening one’s faith, trust and dependence in God. The faithful hope that the Hajj will bring about a deep spiritual transformation, one that will make him or her a better person. If such a change from within does not occur, then the Hajj was merely a physical and material exercise devoid of any spiritual significance. As all great religions teach, we are more than mere physical creatures in that we possess an essence beyond the material world. Indeed, this is why all great religions have a tradition of pilgrimage. In the Islamic tradition, Hajj encapsulates this spiritual journey toward this essence. Hajj teaches one to show sincerity and humilty in one’s relationship with God. The result of a successful Hajj is a rich inner peace, which is manifested outwardly in the values of justice, honesty, respect, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy.