Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — A high-level Indian Central Haj Committee  delegation on Tuesday signed agreements with six housing groups for accommodating Haj pilgrims from the country in Madinah.



Starting this Haj, 100,020 pilgrims will be served food at their lodgings in Madinah for the first time, E.T. Muhammad Basheer, member of the committee, told Saudi Gazette.



According to the agreement, 65 percent of pilgrims will be accommodated in the central area. “Each pilgrim has to pay SR500 for accommodation plus breakfast during his 8-day stay in Madinah. In addition to this, the pilgrims need to pay SR120 for lunch and dinner,” he said.



The Indian side was represented by the Central Haj Committee Chairman Qaiser Shamim, Vice Chairman Muhammad Marqub Ahmed, Muhammad Bashir, Ataur Rahman, chief executive officer at the committee, Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak and Haj Consul Sheikh Mohammed Noor Rahman.



The delegation expressed satisfaction over the elaborate arrangements for Haj made by the Haj Mission. Basheer, who is also a member of parliament (Lok Sabha) said the Haj Mission’s arrangements will be reviewed at the Central Haj Committee meeting on June 22, which will be followed by the annual Haj conference in New Delhi on June 23.



Rahman told Saudi Gazette that each housing group, licensed by the Haj Guides Establishment, will accommodate 5,000 to 35,000 pilgrims.



In Makkah, individual owners rent out buildings to pilgrims unlike Madinah where housing groups are involved. “We have plans to sign similar agreements to provide food for pilgrims in Makkah next year,” Rahman said.