KARACHI: “Most people from our extended family who have been lucky enough to have performed Haj have availed the services of private companies to look after their travel and stay in Saudi Arabia. But my husband wanted us to go through the government process for it,” says Faiza Irshad.

“There are some 300,000 people applying for Haj every year of whom 100,000 get to go through the government’s lucky draw scheme. We applied for the first time and got lucky this year,” said Faiza’s husband, Irshad Rafi.

The couple were at the New Haji Camp in Sultanabad to pick up their passports after getting word that they had got their visas.

Performing Haj rounds up to a package of Rs270,000 per person. It includes the ticket, visa, accommodation and meals for the 42-day stay. “There is also an option for sacrificial animals. So if you want those provided to you, then you have to pay Rs285,000 per person,” explains Faiza, who said they were going for Haj leaving behind their three young children — aged 12, eight and nine months only. “It worries me to be leaving behind the children with relatives but then it is like making a major sacrifice, too,” she says smiling.

There are many people coming to the Haji Camp from 9am to 4pm for training and guidance besides the paperwork. They also get vaccinated there. “The vaccinations are a requirement of the Saudi government,” says Dr Asiya Khoso. “The pilgrims must have certification on them for having been vaccinated for meningitis, influenza and polio,” she adds as she goes about her work in the health section of the camp.

Next door is the big reporting hall with the various counters. There are the counters for verifying medicines which one can take with them during the pilgrimage. “The people bring over their medicine prescriptions to be checked here,” explains Shabbir Ali, deputy leader, scouts. “They also receive their vaccination cards from here.”

There are also four airline counters. Pakistan International Airlines among them has the longest queues followed by Shaheen Air, AirBlue and Saudia Airlines.

At some of the counters you also get a Pakistan flag sticker for sticking on one’s ehram. “The flag is very important. It identifies you as a Pakistani in case of any kind of emergency so that your embassy can step in to help you there,” says Shabbir Ali.

The Haji Camp, located in an area controlled by the Sindh Rangers, is open for Haj operations from June 4 to Aug 26. As one enters the scouts’ stations, they are there to help you with wheelchairs on hand for anyone who might have difficulty in walking. There are platters full of juicy dates to welcome everyone. Every few steps you also come across stalls selling ehram, caps, scarves, bags, tasbeeh, belts, thermos flasks, etc.

There is also a hostel for those people who arrive for training and guidance from the interior of Sindh.

Ahsan Ali Khan, who is going for Haj for the first time, says that he is not nervous about what to expect there. “I have been called by God to His home. He wants me there and therefore I am headed there. So why be afraid or nervous? My God will take care of me,” he says.

Meanwhile, there is a training session under way at the mosque. Haji Farhatullah stands under a shady tree to direct the men towards the mosque or help them in any other way that he can. “Helping people perform Haj properly is also a way of earning blessings,” he says. “So by helping others we are helping ourselves, too,” he adds with a smile.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2017