Haj Pilgrimage

Committed to ensuring spiritually-fulfilling Hajj for Indian pilgrims: Min

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday reviewed preparations for Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Madinah to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience for all Indian pilgrims. Rijiju, on a visit to Saudi Arabia from June 11 to 14, had important engagements pertaining to the preparations for the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage. This included the signing of the Bilateral Agreement for Haj 2025, attending the inaugural session of the Hajj & Umrah Conference and Exhibition and bilateral meetings with Saudi dignitaries. During the visit, the Union Minister also reviewed the arrangements being made for the Indian Haj pilgrims at Jeddah and Madinah. "Journey to the "Holi city of Madinah" by train to review Hajj arrangements and meet with the Governor of Madinah. Madinah is one of Islam's holiest cities. Will visit the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi and at the periphery of the Quba Mosque -- the first Mosque of Islam," ..

India signs Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, quota set at 175,025 pilgrims

India on Monday signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for itself. Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah. "Haj Agreement 2025 signed with Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for Haj 2025. We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our Haj pilgrims," Rijiju said in a post on X. "In the meeting with Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, we discussed important matters related to Hajj 2025 and explored steps to further improve the pilgrimage experience for Indian pilgrims. It will also strengthen our bilateral relation," the minister said. Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he welcomes this agreement, which is a "wonderful news" for Hajj pilgrims from .

SpiceJet secures rights to operate 100 Haj flights from 4 cities in 2025

Haj services have become a critical revenue stream for the airline with Spicejet anticipating to earn Rs 185 crore from these flight operations in 2025

201 Indians died during Hajj pilgrimage 2024 due to health issues: Govt

More than 200 Indian pilgrims died during the Haj pilgrimage 2024, with a majority of the deaths being attributed to cardio-respiratory and cardio-pulmonary arrests, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government of India has placed significant emphasis on the successful conduct of Haj operations and on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian pilgrims. "As of 21st July 2024, 201 Indian pilgrims have died during Haj pilgrimage 2024 with a majority of them attributed to cardio-respiratory and cardio-pulmonary arrests," he said. It is to further state that more than 70 per cent of the total fatalities have occurred among pilgrims aged 60 and above, Rijiju added. He said the government is committed to improving the overall Haj experience of Indian Haj pilgrims. "In pursuit of this objective, a number of progressive reforms have been introduced in the last few .

First flight carrying 285 Haj pilgrims departs from India to Saudi Arabia

A flight departed on Thursday morning from IGI airport to Saudi Arabia carrying a total of 285 Haj pilgrims. A total of 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims will visit Saudi Arabia under the Haj quota

Cong allots Rs 200 cr for Christians, Rs 100 cr to develop Wakf properties

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for the development of Wakf properties and Rs 200 crore for the development of Christian community in the 2024-2025 budget he presented in the Assembly. Further, a provision of Rs 50 crore will be made for the development of major pilgrimage destinations of Jains. A development grant of Rs one crore has been earmarked for Shri Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara in Bidar. Siddaramaiah said Rs 20 crore would be granted to provide basic facilities at major pilgrimage destinations in the state. The Chief Minister said 50 Morarji Desai Residential Schools, 100 post-matric boys/girls hostels will be started with a capacity of 100 students each and 100 new Maulana Azad Schools will be opened in the state. Also, pre-university colleges will be started in 25 schools, which have their own buildings. The Chief Minister said 'Tripitaka', the sacred texts of the Buddhist community, will be translated into Kannada

India, Saudi Arabia ink Haj agreement with 1,75,025 pilgrim quota for 2024

India and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a bilateral agreement under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan in Jeddah. According to an official statement, a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Haj Committee whereas 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through private operators. "Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, along with Hon'ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on matters of mutual interest with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs, Irani .

Pakistan extends Haj application submission deadline till December 22

The move comes when the country's foreign reserves are depleting and to attract more foreign exchange

1.5 mn foreign pilgrims arrives in Saudi Arabia for annual Hajj pilgrimage

Muslim pilgrims streamed into the holy city of Mecca on Friday ahead of the start of Hajj next week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale after three years of heavy restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far, the vast majority by air. More are expected, and hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them when the pilgrimage officially begins on Monday. Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage. On Friday, pilgrims thronged the Grand Mosque in Mecca to attend weekly communal prayers. Many then did a ritual circuit walking seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure inside the Grand Mosque that is Islam's holiest site. On Thursday night, the vast marble court around the Kaaba was packed with the faithful, wal

Nearly 1.5 mn foreign pilgrims arrive in Saudi so far for Hajj pilgrimage

Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the vast majority by air. This year's pilgrimage will be the first without the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, starting in 2020. More pilgrims are expected to arrive before the start of the Hajj on Monday. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able. It is one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The Saudi media ministry Thursday that more than 1.49 million foreign pilgrims had arrived through its international ports up to Wednesday, with 1.43 million travelling by air. Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims in 2023 to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage.

SC dismisses plea seeking GST exemption for Haj via private tour operators

The private tour operators argued that the levy is discriminatory as it exempts certain pilgrims who undertake the journey through the Haj Committee of India

Saudi Arabia announces health, security measures for upcoming Haj season

As many as 25,000 medics and more than 4,000 hospital beds will stand by during the Islamic pilgrimage which ends on the evening of July 12

Consider plea to make Chennai airport boarding point for Haj pilgrims: HC

AG submitted that the recommendations had been sent to the Haj Committee to add Chennai airport as one of the destinations for embarkation point for the Haj pilgrims

Modi govt has made Haj pilgrimage comfortable, transparent: Naqvi

India sends the second largest number of Haj pilgrims after Indonesia

Selection of Haj pilgrims to be based on Covid-appropriate criteria

The selection process for pilgrims for Haj 2022 will be based on several Covid-appropriate criteria, including complete inoculation with all required doses, and in accordance with the guidelines

Arrangements being made to vaccinate Haj pilgrims: Union Minister Naqvi

Arrangements are being made to provide coronavirus vaccine to Indian Haj pilgrims, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday

Haj pilgrims must submit Covid-19 negative report prior to journey in 2021

Haj pilgrims will have to submit Covid-19 negative report 72 hours prior to their journey to Saudi Arabia in 2021, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said

Covid-19 updates: India's tally, Trump's campaign and Annual Haj

In light of the recent surge in cases, a senior official informed that authorities in Saudi Arabia are considering cancelling the annual Haj pilgrimage season

In election year, Modi govt doesn't reduce Haj boarding points below 21

The committee to review the previous Haj Policy (2013-17) had suggested reducing the boarding points from 21 to nine

Prepared to handle any stampede or disease at Haj: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said on Monday that over 1.735 million pilgrims have arrived from abroad for the ritual