MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO- Prospective Hajj pilgrims. for. the. year 2026 have been advised to deposit Rs 750,000 to the Amanah Bank in their. own names before 20 September.
Riyaz Mihular ,chairman of the Sri Lanka Hajj Committee told Colombo Times on Friday that this is a new arrangement made by the Hajj Committee to meet with the requirements of the Ministry of Hajj , Umrah and Endowments of Saudi Arabia .
“ To get the same facilities and. services like last year in the designated zones and in Mina and Arafat ,the Hajj ministry has advised the committee to pay Rs 2 billion in advance by September, “ Mihular said pointing out that this money will be advanced by the Amanah Bank since the department of Muslim religious and cultural affairs cannot afford such a huge amount ,
Amanah Bank was chosen from three banks which offered its services.
The chairman explained that the Rs 750,000 deposit will be in the names of the respective pilgrims with the Amanah and the balance Hajj fees could be paid in two to three installments during a period assigned by the committee.
Out of the quota of 3,500 pilgrims , so far 2,800 Lankan pilgrims have already shown their interests for. 2026 pilgrimage.
“ We have taken every measure to ensure better services to both pilgrims and operators by virtue of our previous experiences,” Mihular concluded .
The list of Hajj operators for the 2026 pilgrimage will be announced shortly
