Haj Facilitation Centre at Leh, Haj House at Kargil
LEH: The Haj Committee, UT Ladakh, has sought support for establishing a Haj Facilitation Centre/Haj House at Leh and construction of the proposed Haj House at Kargil, besides renovation of its Leh Camp Office, as more than 80 selected Haj-2027 pilgrims and participants attended a preparatory programme in Leh on Saturday.
The demands were raised by Ghulam Abbas Abidi, Chairman, Haj Committee, UT Ladakh, during an introductory, feedback and short Haj training programme organised for selected pilgrims from the Leh region at The Grand Dragon Ladakh.
Abidi also sought resolution of service-related issues concerning Haj staff, stressing the need to strengthen the infrastructure and institutional arrangements available to pilgrims from Ladakh.
Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, UT Ladakh, who attended the programme as chief guest, assured the Haj Committee that the issues raised would be taken up with the concerned authorities. He also reiterated his support for strengthening Haj-related infrastructure and pilgrim facilitation in the Union Territory.
The programme focused on preparing selected pilgrims for Haj-2027, with training covering passport requirements, medical examination, Haj documentation, accommodation arrangements, travel preparations and other essential guidelines.
It also included a feedback session in which pilgrims who undertook Haj in 2026 shared their experiences and suggestions for improving arrangements for future pilgrims. The programme commenced with a traditional Khatak ceremony, followed by the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
Addressing the gathering, Choudhary congratulated the selected pilgrims and extended his wishes for a safe and successful Haj. He emphasised the importance of completing documentation on time, ensuring medical fitness and undertaking adequate preparation for the pilgrimage. He also urged parents to devote adequate time to their children’s education and guide them away from drug abuse.
Abidi outlined the Haj Committee’s efforts to strengthen Haj management and improve services for pilgrims from Ladakh. The proposed Haj Facilitation Centre/Haj House at Leh and Haj House at Kargil are among the infrastructure-related matters raised with the administration.
The programme brought together more than 80 participants from the Leh region, including selected Haj-2027 pilgrims and Haj-2026 pilgrims who contributed to the feedback session. Among those present were Dr Zahida Banoo (JKAS), Executive Officer, Haj Committee, UT Ladakh, and Haj Committee members Ghulam Mohammad, Haji Mohammad Hussain, Sheikh Liaqat Ali, Ayesha Malo and Zahra Banoo, besides Ulema-e-Kiram, Haj-2026 pilgrims and selected Haj-2027 pilgrims.
