New Delhi: Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the sharp decline of Hajj applications. Hajj Committee of India has received only 51,000 applications for 2021 while it was 2,13,000 last year.
Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Hajj Committee of India (HCI) CEO, Maqsood Ahmed Khan, said, "Till now, we have received applications from more than 51,000 pilgrims and the process for submission of applications form for Hajj 2021 has been extended to January 10."
Meanwhile, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday held a meeting with Hajj Committee of India officials and said that arrangements are being made to vaccinate every Hajj pilgrim from India.
He also added that the deadline of submission of application would not be extended further. Usually, we extend the date as per the request from the state government. There was no such request and we would not extend the date to increase the number of pilgrims, said Maqsood Ahmed Khan.
Speaking about the reasons behind the decreased number of applications for Hajj 2021, he said that due to the pandemic we are not taking application from those who are not above the age of 18 years or who have completed 65 years of age on or before November 7, 2020.
