Haj gets costlier

KANPUR: A trip to the sacred land of Mecca is any Muslim's life-time wish. But hike in expenditure and the decision of the Saudi government, making it mandatory for the pilgrims to carry international passport, had created problems for a lot of aspiring Hajis.
With an average of about 1.25 lakh Hajis, India sends one of the biggest contingent of pilgrim.Out of that, the maximum pilgrims are from Uttar Pradesh. From city alone, 1,000 Hajis took part in holy congregation last year.
But this year, out of 1,516 people who had applied for Haj from the city, only 582 people were selected. Suhail Ahmed, a businessman was frustrated with his name not figuring in lottery for second year in a row.
Every year, the quota is fixed by government for the Hajis, depending upon the applications received during the year.
The holy trip is getting expensive for past two years. Compared to year 2007, the average Haj budget went up by Rs 18,000 in 2008 and another hike of Rs 15,000 is in offing this year.
Talking to TOI, Shaheen Kazmi, former vice-chairman of Central Haj Committee said, "The cost goes up as there has been a hike from Saudi side as rental cost in Mecca have been increased by hoteliers there."
The pilgrims face problems in Saudi Arabia as well. At times they do not get aab-e-zamzam (the holy water). Then the problem of return flights also remains.
The Saudi government's decision of international passport evoked mixed reactions from the community.
Veteran cleric Syed Qamar Shahjahanpuri said, "I think this step is welcome as it will deter rich people from making trips to Haj every year. In Islam, it is said that every Muslim should perform Haj atleast once in his/her lifetime but influential people make the trip almost every year."
Another cleric Mohammad Salees said that the documentation from Saudi government will make the process more cumbersome.
Budget of Haj
The budget of Haj stands out at an average of Rs 80,000 per head. In year 2009, Haj pilgrims have been divided into four price categories by CHC.
Category Price in Saudi Rial Price in IR (Indian Rupees)
Green Deluxe 5000 68200
Green Ordinary 3500 47740
White 2800 38192
Azizia 2300 31372
Points to note:
1. The cost of air-ticket of Rs 12,000 and cost of stay in Madina of 500 rials is excluded in all the categories.
2. Persons who are lucky enough to find their name in Haj lottery will have to deposit about Rs 30,000 in State Bank of India. Out of that, about Rs 700 will go into the account of CHC.
3. Several Hajis opt the route of private operators as well.
Budget goes up
Compared to last year, not only budget has gone up but categories as well. In year 2007, there were three categories and this year the number is 4.
The categories are based on distance of camp from holy worship place of Mecca. Last year, Green category for a range of 1000 metres came at a cost of 3000 Saudi rials, White for range between 1001 and 1600 metres and price was 2200 rial and third one was Azizia for above the range of 1600 metres which was budgeted at 1500 rial.
Factor for price rise
The increase in cost is attributed to Saudi government's decision of dismantling of Harem Khana-e-kaba (700-800 buildings which are places of stay in Mecca). Saudi government wishes to enlarge it to accommodate larger number of piligrims from all over the world which keeps on swelling every year and is touching figures of 40 lakh.
Now hotels are very far away from the holy place and people have converted their residences into commericial places, charging exorbitant prices as rent. A room which was earlier available for about 100 rials now comes at about 500 rials.
Facilities for pilgrims
The Indian government provides various facilities to Hajis. There is subsidy and the government bears the cost (to and from Mecca) of the Hajis. There is a dedicated terminal in Delhi for facilitating Haj flights which are used for two months during the Haj season.
From time to time, the government keeps on increasing the quota and few years back the Central Haj Committee had brought out CDs which acted as guides for the Hajis.