Thiruvananthapuram: Minister of State for
External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Monday wanted those planning to
go for Haj pilgrimage to apply for passports as Saudi Arabia
government had this time made it 'compulsory' that only
persons with valid passport would be allowed.
Earlier, Haj pilgrims used to go to Saudi Arabia with a
special pilgrims permit, but this time, passport has been
made compulsory along with a vaccination certificate against
viral fever, Tharoor told reporters after a meeting of
Passport officers of southern and western regions here.
Out of the 1.10 lakh persons already selected for
performing Haj by various state haj committees, only 20,000
persons have applied for passports.
Though, the last date for receiving the applications for
'Special Passports for Haj pilgrims' valid for eight months,
expired on July 31, Tharoor asked those who have not
submitted applications to do so at the earliest.
The Saudi government had this time discouraged persons
above the age of 65, children below 12 years and pregnant
women from undertaking Haj pilgrimage,he added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, August 10, 2009, 19:22