Haj

4,314 Indian women set to perform Haj without male companion this year

As many as 4,314 Indian women are set to perform Haj without 'Mehram (male companion)' this year, the largest since the reform in 2018 which did away with the compulsion of a male companion with women on the pilgrimage, officials said. In a first, the Minority Affairs Ministry has also made comprehensive arrangements for the health of the Haj pilgrims with health desks at airports and medical screening by government doctors. With a view to ensure quality health support to pilgrims, the Ministry of Minority Affairs is collaborating with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for comprehensive health arrangements for pilgrims planning to visit Mecca. Each year, Saudi Arabia hosts around 25 lakh to 30 lakh pilgrims from across the globe to visit Mecca and India sends the third largest contingent of pilgrims in the world. Such large number of pilgrims also poses unique public health challenges, and the medical requirements of the pilgrims in Mecca, Madina, and Jeddah must be ...

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

Bajrang Dal writes 'Haj house' on Gujarat Cong office wall, posters defaced

Some Bajrang Dal workers scaled the walls of Congress office Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan here and wrote "Haj house" on it

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

Saudi Arabia approves Haj security plan, says expecting 1 mn pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has approved the general security plan for the upcoming Haj season

Saudi Arabia expands Haj to 1 million pilgrims, easing Covid-19 curbs

Saudi Arabia will let up to 1 million people join the Haj pilgrimage this year, greatly expanding the key event to participants from outside the kingdom after two years of tight COVID restrictions

Made all arrangements for Haj, Saudi Arabia to decide modalities: Naqvi

He also informed that during the Modi government, more than two lakh pilgrims have gone for Haj from India

Haj 2022 process in India to be 100% digital: Union minister Naqvi

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said the entire Haj 2022 process in India will be 100% digital

In a first, Saudi women soldiers stand guard during Haj pilgrimage

They are dressed in military khaki uniform, with a hip-length jacket, loose trousers and a black beret over a veil covering their hair.

All applications for Haj 2021 cancelled: Haj Committee of India

Last year also the government had decided that Muslims from India will not travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2020 after the Kingdom conveyed that pilgrims should not be sent

Saudi Arabia announces readiness for Haj season amid Covid-19 pandemic

The Saudi Interior Ministry announced the Kingdom's readiness for the upcoming Haj season amid the Covid-19 pandemic

How India's 'Ship of Haj' from Mumbai to Jeddah will benefit poor Muslims

The Modi govt's move will significantly reduce travel costs for Muslim pilgrims

More than 1.7 million Muslims gather for start of Haj

Journey of five-day-long pilgrimage begins when they depart from their countries dressed in ihram