Announcement of Haj 2022 on first week of November: Naqvi

New Delhi: The official announcement of Haj 2022 will be made in the first week of November and along with that the process of online application for Haj will also be started, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Friday.

Shortly after holding a review meeting with all the stakeholders on Haj 2022, he told reporters, "The entire Haj 2022 process will be held according to the necessary guidelines to be issued by the Saudi Arabia Government and the Government of India in view of the Covid pandemic.

"The preparations have been started keeping in mind the health and corona protocol of both the governments. The entire Haj 2022 process will be 100 per cent digital."

The Union Minister said the selection process of Haj pilgrims will be done according to guidelines and criteria that will be decided by Indian and Saudi Arabia governments, keeping in view the Covid protocols during the time of Haj 2022. Complete vaccination against Covid-19 is a must for the pilgrims, he said.

He also informed that the applications of more than 3,000 women, who were eligible for Haj 2020 and 2021 under without “Mehram” (male companion) category, will be eligible for Haj 2022.

It may be mentioned here that Haj 2020 and 2021 could not take place due to Covid pandemic.

Other women can also apply for Haj 2022 under without “Mehram” category, Naqvi said, adding, all the women under this category will be exempted from the lottery system.

The Union Minister further said the Haj 2022 process is being chalked out after deliberations among Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Haj Committee of India, Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and India’s Consul General in Jeddah and other agencies keeping in view all aspects of the pandemic challenges.

Earlier in the review meeting, the Union Minister said digital health card, 'E-MASIHA' health facility and 'E-luggage pre-tagging', providing all information regarding accommodation and transportation in Makkah-Madinah, will be provided to all the Haj pilgrims.

Expected Haj quota for 2022, Haj Air Charter, Corona protocols, vaccination, medical facilities, health card, transport in Saudi Arabia, Haj deputation of officials, Khadim Ul Hujjaj, Haj training, embarkation points and other issues were discussed in the meeting. (UNI)