Kerala Haj Committee selects pilgrims

Kozhikode, July 13 (UNI) The Kerala Haj Committee (KHC) today selected 3,310 devotees out of a quota of 7,670 for the Haj pilgrimage next year.

They were selected through draw of lot from a total of 20,551 applicants by T K Hamza, MP, at a function attended by KHC President A K Abdul Hameed and Secretary and District Collector A Jayathilak here.

Another 3,337 devotees, who were in the waiting list last year, were already selected out of this year's official quota, KHC sources said.

Besides, another 562 and 459 persons, who were above 75 and 70 years of age among the applicants, were also selected directly, the sources said.

They said two remaining vacancies will be filled later on.

The first plane carrying the devotees from the state for the pilgrimage at the Holy city of Meeca would depart in the second-week of November, they said.

Prior to that the KHC would conduct camps for the pilgrims from August 8 to September 9 at various places in the state, the sources added.

UNI