1.75 lakh Indian pilgrims to visit Haj next year; Centre declares quota; 17,412 for Maharashtra

Pune: (Basit Shaikh) – The Central Government has announced the quota for the Haj pilgrimage for the next year. As many as 1.75 lakh pilgrims will get an opportunity to visit Haj.

Around 70 pc of the quota i.e. 1,22,518 devotees will be able to visit Haj through the Central government’s Haj Committee. It includes a women’s Mehram quota of 500.

The Centre has published online details about fixing the devotees’ quota, their selection process, the expenditure on the pilgrimage, etc, for pilgrims visiting Haj. This has made all the aspects of the pilgrimage transparent, said Khuddam-e-Hujjaj, Pune City & District Haj Committee President Haji Riyaz Qazi and Secretary Haji Sayyad Khan.

The Haj pilgrimage announcement was made on August 13, 2024. The last date of application was September 30, 2024. As many as 1,52,976 applications have been submitted. Among them are 14,728 citizens above the age of 65. Besides Mehram, 3,717 more women have also applied for the pilgrimage.

Though the quota for Maharashtra is 17,412, a higher number of applications (23,395) have been received. As many as 5,983 applications are pending. In all, 1,442 pilgrims will go for Haj from Pune district.

Those willing to go on Haj will have to deposit the first installment of expenses of Rs 1,30,300 in State Bank of India or Bank of India from October 8 to 21.

Guidance will be provided to Haj pilgrims at the Pensionwalla Masjid, Nana Peth. As many as 1,442 pilgrims will visit Haj from Pune district, said Khuddam-e-Hujjaj Haj Committee President Haji Riyaz Qazi.