ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: The intending Hujjaj have been urged to get acquainted with the arrangements both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to avoid difficulties during Haj.

An official of the ministry for religious affairs told APP on Monday that the Hujjaj would receive a travelling notice from the ministry, marked with passport number, group number, departure date, flight number and date of reporting at the Haji camps before departing for Haj.

He advised the pilgrims to make all the preparations before reporting at their nearest Haji camps.

At the camps, he said, every Haji should bring necessary items including a bag inscribed with the name, passport number and other information, sheets, towel, clothes, three sets of shoes — one close and two open — Ahram belt, necessary items of crockery, a water bottle, needle and thread, safety pin, nail cutter, hair brush, pen and a cap. For women, an Uba and two handkerchiefs for covering head were imperative, he added.

He said that a small bag was also required to carry necessary documents, Holy Quran and passport.

Before the departure, he added, the pilgrims would have to carry with them necessary documents including original receipt of bank with two photographs, information notice issued by the ministry, two attested photos from the banks, a photocopy of national identify card, a meningitis certificate and books for performing Haj rituals.

He said that all the necessary facilities including airline office, bank, dispensary, canteen, post office, telephone and telegraph would available at the Haji camp.

The official advised the pilgrims to get enlisted their names, identity lockets and residence reservation on their arrival at the camp.

They would be required to take airline tickets and stickers for baggage by showing notice of the airline and passport and ensure Haj visa, stamp of Saudi embassy.

In case of any mistake and shortcoming, the pilgrims should immediately consult the authorities at the camp, he added.

The pilgrims could get foreign exchange from the bank office by showing the Haj passport, airline ticket and original bank receipt. The sponsored pilgrims could get them by showing sponsored encasement certificate. He said, the bank would deduct airline fair, services charges, airport terminal tax and other necessary expenditure from the actual amount deposited by the intending pilgrims.

The remaining amount would be issued in Saudi riyal or dollar to the pilgrims which would be sufficient for their stay in Saudi Arabia.

The official also asked the pilgrims not to carry with them the items such as drugs, knife, toothpaste, soap etc.

The passport and other necessary documents should not be kept in the baggage rather they should be carried in the handbags, he added.—APP