Give preference to first timers, Haj Committee tells tour operators

The Haj Committee appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested tour operators to give preference to persons performing Haj for the first time.

The Haj Committee comprises Governor Alavi Mowlana, Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha and Azath Salley.

All operators were individually interviewed and allocations of Haj pilgrim quota was done in keeping with the ratings given by the committee. Standard charges have been fixed at a maximum of Rs. 325,000 per pilgrim.

Those needing to avail of special arrangements could do so under written agreement with tour operators, which would have to be approved by the Haj committee.

Salley who met the head of Muttawiff Shiek Adnaan M. Khathib in Meeca and told him to allocate one Muallim (Muttawiff Nadeel. H. Ghazzawi) for the entire 5,800 pilgrims from Sri Lanka and thus enabling them to be housed together at both Atafat and Minna.

"This is the first time that we have been able to achieve this feat," Salley said.

The Committee has also made arrangements for a special team to undertake the pilgrimage.