THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: The Goa Haj Committee has said that a panel will take up with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to set up the long-pending Haj House for the local pilgrims at Porvorim on the land allotted to the Muslim community.
Addressing the media Haj Committee Chairman Urfan Mulla said that the construction of the Haj house was delayed due to objections raised over the proposal to set up the house at Cortalim.
“When objections are raised by local people, the government takes two steps backward. But, now we will take up with the Chief Minister to set up the Haj house at Porvorlim on the land already allotted for the Muslim community”, he said.
Urfan said that Porvorim would be an ideal location for the Haj house given its proximity to the Mopa International airport and considering the fact that land is already available with the Muslim community.
Meanwhlie, the Haj Committee Chairman has appealed to the Haj pilgrims to enrol themselves for the Haj pilgrimage. He said the Haj Committee of India has invited applications for Haj-2026 from intending pilgrims through the online Haj Application Form, available on the official website bites baicommitter.gen.in and the mobile application "HAJ SUVIDHA (available for both iPhone and Android devices). The application window will be open from 07 July 2025 tο 31 July 2025 (11:59 PM, he added.
Applicants are strongly advised to carefully read the Guidelines and Undertakings before submitting their forms. Please note that a machine-readable Indian International Passport is a prerequisite for application. The passport must be issued on or before the closing date of application and remain valid at least until 31 December 2026.
He said that cancellations on any grounds except in cases of death or grave medical illness of the pilgrim will attract penalties and may result in financial loss to the applicant. Pilgrims are therefore advised to apply only after careful consideration of their preparedness and commitment to undertake the pilgrimage, he added.
