Haj pilgrims to be selected through draw of lots (ToI, India)
timesofindia.com, India, 02/07/2009
The AP State Haj Committee, which has a Hajj visa quota of 6,222, has received 23,687 applications for the draw of lots for Hajj 2009. Minorities Affairs Minister Ahmedullah Syed said at a press conference yesterday that a letter had been sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ask for an increase in the state's quota by 2,500. The minister urged confirmed pilgrims to submit their passport applications by 15 July to avoid any delay in receiving passports from the Central Haj Committee, as happened last year.