12,000 Haj Pilgrims downgraded

The Haj Committee of India, Mumbai, has decided to downgrade nearly 12,000 pilgrims from the Green to the Aziziya category, for Haj 2013.

The decision was taken following large-scale demolitions that took place near Haram Sharif in Makkah Mukarramah, in the areas which were traditionally occupied by the Indian pilgrims. Therefore, only 40,000 Green accommodation units are available in Makkah Mukarramah for the pilgrims of Haj 2013.

However, around 52,000 selected pilgrims have opted for Green category accommodation.

State Haj Committee chairman Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed said that in view of the shortage of accommodation units in the Green category, the Haj Committee of India has decided to downgrade nearly 12,000 pilgrims from Green to Aziziya as per clause 20.2 of the guidelines for Haj 2013.

The Green category entitles pilgrims to be housed in buildings which fall within a 1,500-metre radius from the outer periphery of Haram Shareif, while the Aziziya category includes buildings located within the Aziziya area of Makkah Mukarramah farther away from the Haram Shareif than the buildings in the Green category.

All the selected pilgrims (who opted for Green category) have been notified to send their applications for downgradation of category, writing their cover number, name and address, if they so desire, by fax or email, on or before June 14, 2013.

The applicants may also send their applications for downgradation to the Haj Committee on these e-mail IDs: ceo@hajcommittee.com or gqa.hcoi@yahoo.com or on the fax numbers 022-22630461 and 022-22620920.

If fewer applications are received for downgradation than are necessary, then the HCOI will conduct draw-of-lots as per clause 20.2 of the guidelines for Haj 2013.

The pilgrims have been advised to pay the balance Haj amount after re-checking their final accommodation category, and to pay as per the category that has been finally allotted to them, and not as per the category opted by them. (INN)