6,002 pilgrims bound for Mecca from Assam in 2023

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Joint State Haj Committee of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland will send as many as 6,302 pilgrims to Mecca in 2023, including 4281 males and 2021 females. This is the highest ever in the history of the Haj pilgrimage from these three states.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Executive Officer-cum-Secretary of the Joint State Haj Committee Abdul Kalam said, “The number of Haj pilgrims bound for Mecca this year is twice the number of pilgrims last year. As many as 3,451 Haj pilgrims left for Mecca in 2022 from these three states. The number of pilgrims may come down after the medical test. The breakup of the 6,302 Haj pilgrims is: 93 from Meghamaya, 20 from Nagaland, and 6,189 from Assam.”

He said, “At the all-India level, over 1.84 lakh Haj pilgrims will go to Mecca this year. From other states of the Northeast, 808 pilgrims from Manipur and 165 from Tripura will go to Mecca this year.”

Kalam said, “Of the 6,302 pilgrims from Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, 300 will go directly from Kolkata, and the remaining 6,002 will leave for Mecca from the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in batches from May 21 to June 6.”

On the probable reasons behind the rise in the number of Haj pilgrims, Kalam said, “The easing of COVID-related restrictions and the withdrawal of the upper age bar (not beyond 65 years) for the pilgrims have led to the rise in the number of pilgrims this year. However, children below 12 years of age are not allowed this year following a decision in this regard by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

An office-bearer of the Joint Haj Committee of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, said, “The pilgrims have already deposited money in two installments, Rs 81,800 each in the first installment and Rs 1.70 lakh each in the second installment. They will have to deposit Rs. 1.20 lakh each in the third installment. Earlier, it was mandatory for each Haj pilgrim to take Riyal 2,100. However, a pilgrim can take any amount he or she wants. SBI officials will remain present for the exchange of the currency at the district-wise health camps and orientation programmes, besides the airport.” According to the chairman, the district-wise breakup of Haj pilgrims from the state is: 1080 from Cachar, 864 from Karimganj, 555 from Hailakandi, 305 from Dhubri, 397 from Barpeta, 240 from Darrang, 368 from Nagaon, 282 from Kamrup (M), 301 from Kamrup, 238 from Goalpara, 156 from Lakhimpur, 135 from Nalbari, 192 from Sivasagar, etc.

Also Read: First batch of NE Haj pilgrims to leave for Mecca tomorrow

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