SIM cards to Hajis to be issued after arrival in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian government to tighten rules including the issuing of SIM cards to pilgrims. This year, those who have been selected to perform the pilgrimage will be issued cards in Jeddah instead of Hyderabad.

The SIM cards will be given in Saudi Arabia and fingerprints of those who are taking these cards will be taken. This is for pilgrims across the world and not just India. The decision was taken a week ago,” said TSHC special officer Prof S A Shukoor.

This year, the Haj Committee of India has decided to allow 55



kilograms of luggage. This includes two check-in luggage of 22.5 kilograms capacity each and an additional hand luggage of 10 kilograms.

Only 35,000 pilrgims will be allowed to use the train to travel from Mina to Muzdalifah this year. This decision, Prof Shukoor said, has been taken by the Saudi government to reduce the risk of stampedes.

In order to provide better assistance to pilgrims, the Haj Committee of India has decided to appoint one khadim-ul-Hujjaj (haj helper) for every 200 pilgrims instead of one for every 300.