Plea for more Haj pilgrims

by Mohammed NAALIR

The delegation led by Disaster Relief Minister A. H. M. Fowzie which visited Saudi Arabia recently to make arrangements for Haj pilgrims held discussions with Saudi Arabia's Haj Affairs Minister Faud Bin Abdul Salam. During the discussions Minister Salam promised the delegation to permit 2,800 Sri Lankan pilgrims to visit Mecca this year.

However, Minister Fowzie said that the number of Sri Lankan pilgrims should be increased to 8,000 this year.

Minister Salam promised the delegation that steps would also be taken after discussions with top-ranking officers on granting permission for more pilgrims to perform Haj.Minister Fowzie and Saudi Arabia's Haj Affairs Minister are expected to sign an agreement shortly in this connection.