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Aurangabad, June 17:There are five pillars in Islam and Haj is the last and one of the important pillars amongst them. Henceforth, the devotees, irrespective of his/her financial background, aspires to perform the holy pilgrimage at least once in his life. Coincidentally, like Haj 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), owing to the Covid-19 pandemic situation again canceled the Haj 2021. The impact of the pandemic, however, has not dampened the hopes of city aspirants to perform the Haj in the future." The process to submit online application forms was completed in January 2021. The applicants of age above 65 years were refrained from applying. The State Haj Committee had received 7,055 applications from all over Maharashtra. Of which, 1,790 were from Marathwada (including 735 from Aurangabad)," said the general secretary, Federation of Haj Pilgrims Social Workers of Maharashtra, Shaikh Faisal adding that every year the Haj aspirants from four states - Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala - are in large numbers compared to the strength from the other states in India.According to a retired professor Yusuf Bennur," I had planned to perform the Haj after retirement. As a result, I am applying to go on the pilgrimage for the last four consecutive years. I had applied along with my wife. As a preventive measure, I had also taken the first dose of the vaccine and uploaded the information online. I was very hopeful that the situation would normalise this year, but the KSA has refrained outsiders from participating in Haj, this year. I am not disheartened, but do feel that if selected I would have had performed it with zeal and enthusiasm."Adds a retired banker Mustafa Pathan, " Last time, I was selected, but could not participate in Haj 2020 due to restrictions of the Saudi Arabia government. I was very hopeful that the situation would restore to normalcy this year. A ray of hope emerged when the application forms were invited online. Without a second thought, I grabbed the opportunity to apply again for Haj 2021. We are all helpless as the pandemic situation is delicate. We are left with no choice but to pray that the situation restores to normalcy as soon as possible."A health assistant Yunus Khan underlines, " It was an earnest desire of my family to perform the Holy Haj. Moreover, I was feeling lucky that I am getting a chance to apply for the pilgrimage this year. Last year, my name was shortlisted, due could not participate due to the cancellation of Haj 2020. I will try again in the future."BoxxxxxxxAccording to reliable sources, " There were few female aspirants, who were selected to perform Haj 2021, without escort (Mehram). Hence these aspirants demanded that they should be selected for Haj 2021 (without drawing of lots). Hence, the union Minister of Minority Affairs had assured them of giving preference this year. Hence performing Haj once again remained a distant dream for these sisters due to Covid's situation."

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Aurangabad, June 17: There are five pillars in Islam and Haj is the last and one of the important ... ...