Minister-in-Charge of Hajj affairs A.H.M. Fowzie said that he will make a special request to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to allocate a standard quota of 6,000 for Hajj pilgrims from next year.

Senior Minister for Urban Affairs A.H.M. Fowzie also told the Daily Mirror this evening before leaving to Jeddah that he will explain the present peaceful situation of Sri Lanka to the King of Saudi Arabia on finalising the Standard Hajj quota at the first discussion level without going for an appeal hereafter.

Minister Fowzie also said that normally when a quota is given an appeal has to be made two or three times.“500 passports have been collected from the people saying they have a connection with the Saudi Crown Prince saying they would be able to issue 500 visas for them. This is not true. If anyone makes a complaint to us we will take necessary action with regard to this,” Mr. Fowzie added.  (B.M. Murshideen)