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Azerbaijan says Hajj pilgrimage quota not filled completely

17 August 2015 10:34 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Mubariz Aslanov – APA. For the first time in Azerbaijan, the pilgrim quota allocated for the Hajj pilgrimage has not been filled completely.

The Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO) told APA that the deadline for submission of documents for Hajj pilgrimage has been extended to the end of this month because Azerbaijan’s quota for 2,400 pilgrims have not yet been filled completely.

Up until the last year, submission of documents for the Hajj pilgrimage used to begin in late February and end in late May. Last year’s quote was close to 4,000. Pilgrimage expenses amounted to AZN 3,250 and AZN 4,150, based on the offered options.

Note that, submission of documents this year began on March 11. The Hajj pilgrimage from Azerbaijan will begin on September 11. Pilgrims are offered two forms of pilgrimage as usual. One option, which offers more prestigious hotels where guests can have much more expensive meals and stay in four-bed rooms, will coast USD 5,750. The other, which offers relatively cheaper hotels with six-bed rooms, will coast USD 4,700. The documents required of pilgrims include the passport, a copy of the national identification card, 4 3x4 photos and a health certificate. Submission of documents can only be done at the CMO. And because of conflicts in the Middle East, the pilgrimage process will take place via air only. The flights will be carried out by AZAL. The payment for Hajj pilgrimage will be made in US dollar.