Thiruvananthapuram, July 17 -- Kerala Minister for General Education, Minority Welfare, Hajj and Waqf, N. Shamsuddeen has urged the union Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Hajj Committee of India to extend the deadline for submitting Hajj applications until at least August 15, citing delays in passport renewals for many prospective pilgrims.
The Minister said the State Government had earlier requested the Centre to facilitate the renewal of expired passports of Hajj applicants. Although passport offices have recently been instructed to provide a special mechanism for Hajj pilgrims, many applicants are yet to receive their renewed passports.
In this situation, he said, extending the application deadline is essential to ensure that eligi...