Jeddah: A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats reserved for pilgrims to proceed through the Haj Committee of India for the benefit of first-time pilgrims, whereas 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through Haj Group Operators.
To this effect, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Zubin Irani accompanied by V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, signed the bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today in Jeddah.
The Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah appreciated the digital initiatives of the Indian government in facilitating and promoting ease and convenience for the Indian Haj pilgrims by providing last-mile information to them. Dr. Al-Rabiah offered to extend all possible help from the Saudi Arabian government in this regard.
The initiative of the Government of India towards encouraging participation under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category was also discussed, and the Saudi Arabian side appreciated the Indian initiative.
After the signing of the bilateral Haj Agreement and the meeting with Dr. Al-Rabiah, Smriti Irani and Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, to oversee the arrangements for Haj pilgrims and explore ways to facilitate better logistics and monitoring mechanism for the convenience of the Indian Haj pilgrims.
– global bihari bureau
