Team Herald
MARGAO: The Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina has been cancelled for the second time this year, informed Haj committee chairman Shaikh Jina, while expressing hope that the pilgrimage may be held next year if the pandemic situation improves.
Briefing media he however asked all Muslims to take the vaccination for COVID and be prepared to join the pilgrimage as this year there were many who lost the chance because they were not vaccinated.
He thanked Mukhtar Naqvi Ahmed for increasing the Saudi Arabia permit for Indian pilgrims from 10,000 to 35,000.
He said COVID has taken a toll on the pilgrimage as the embarkation point at Dabolim and the subsidy has been cancelled.
