New Delhi: Now the Hajj-related information will be on your finger tips as the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has today launched Haj Committee of India Mobile App. Now those aspiring to perform Hajj can make their application for Haj directly from the app. The app has a facility of applying five adults and two infants together as a group.
The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who launched Haj Mobile App at the Haj House in Mumbai, said that it is for the first time that Haj application process is going to be digital. This mobile app will available on Google Playstorefrom today (2nd January 2017). Next Haj has already been announced and the application will be accepted from today. The last date for submitting applications is 24th January. Several processes have been made in this regard. The Centre has been encouraging online applications to ensure a fair opportunity for the pilgrimage with complete transparency and comfort.
Applying for Haj, enquiry, and information, news and updates and e-payment are main features of Haj Committee of India Mobile App. A PDF copy of the form will go to applicant’s email. After affixing the photo, the printout with documents is to be sent to the state haj committees. Registration fees can also be made through this app.
The last month, the ministry has launched a new website of Hajj in Hindi, Urdu and English languages which also provides all the necessary information regarding Haj.
The Minister said that the Government of India and the Haj Committee of India have already started preparations to ensure that the next Haj is completely smooth and convenient for the pilgrims.
During Haj 2016, about 45,843 people had applied for Haj online which was about 11 percent of total applications received from across the nation for Haj. Efforts are on to make the process of online application simple and easy so that more and more people can apply online for next Haj pilgrimage. Maharashtra topped in online applications for Haj 2016 with a total of 10,960 people applying online followed by Kerala with 9257 online applications and Uttar Pradesh with 5407; 2983 from Telangana; 2426 from Jammu and Kashmir and 2425 online applications had been received from Gujarat.
About 99,903 people went to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Haj from 21 embarkation points across India through Haj Committee of India during Haj 2016. Apart from this, about 36,000 Haj pilgrims had proceeded for Haj through the private tour operators.