5,977 AP pilgrims selected for Haj 2013

Hyderabad, April 23 : As many as 5,977 Haj pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were selected on Tuesday through Computerised Qurrah (Draw of lots) conducted by the Haj Committee of India at the Haj House at Nampally.

This year the HCI has allotted a total quota of 7322 Haj pilgrims to the state, out of which 1345 pilgrims were automatically selected under two reserved categories, i.e. above 70 years old pilgrims and those who had continuously applied for three years and were not selected yet.

Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmadullah inaugurated the Qurrah and assured the congratulated those who were selected today. He said that those who were not selected should not be disappointed as it was the wish of Allah the Almighty. The Minister assured that the State Government through State Haj committee will provide best facilities to the pilgrims. He said that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has readily agreed to double the grant for the Haj Committee from Rs One crore to Rs Two crores in the current budget. He said that he will soon visit the holy lands to see personally that best accommodation is provided to the pilgrims from the state.

SHC Chairman Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed, who presided over the function, said that this year the State was allotted higher quota than the previous years. The function commenced with the recitation of the holy Quran by Hafiz Saber Pasha.

Nampally MLA Virasat Rasool Khan congratulated the selected pilgrims and assured that his party would do everything to serve the pilgrims of the state. SHC Chief Executive Officer Shaker Hussain explained the process of Qurrah and said that the Qurrah is computerized and transparent.

Commissioner Minorities Welfare M A Waheed, Director Urdu Academy Prof. S. A. Shukoor, and members of the Haj Committee were present on the occasion. INN