New Delhi: Saudi Arabia (KSA) has allotted a quota of 1,75,025 to India for Haj-2025 and the Haj application process for the aspiring pilgrims intending to proceed for Haj-2025 through the Haj Committee of India was opened by Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs here today.
For the first time, the applications have been invited on the ‘Haj Suvidha App’ in addition to the website of the Haj Committee of India. A helpline of the Haj Committee of India along with dedicated channels on social media are being operationalised to help the pilgrims applying for Haj-2025.
For Haj-2025, the process of Haj preparation has been initiated early, with the Haj Review Meeting being conducted on July 19, 2024, under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Minority Affairs and the Haj Policy-2025 being announced on August 5, 2024. The Ministry said it seeks to avail the early mover advantage and secure the best possible arrangements in terms of accommodation, transport, logistics, etc. for Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Capitalising on the preparations for Haj-2025 being done much in advance, rigorous training of the trainers, government officials to be temporarily deployed for Haj-2025, and the pilgrims would be conducted to ensure better sensitisation, coherence and discipline during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
A significant administrative measure being taken for Haj-2025 to ensure greater ease of processing and documentation is doing away with the requirement of depositing physical passports with the Haj Committee of India for 4-5 months. Passport offices across the country have also been instructed to expedite the issue of passports applied for by citizens for Haj purposes.
For Haj-2025, it would be mandatory for pilgrims aged 65 or above to be accompanied by a companion with the highest priority in allotment being given to the 65 or above age category. This age criterion was earlier 70 years and now it has been reduced due to the arduous and strenuous nature of pilgrimage and harsh climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia. “This will ensure that all pilgrims of 65 years of age or above, intending to proceed for Haj for the first time, would get assured allotment of seats for Haj-2025,” the Ministry of Minority Affairs stated.
The Ministry said the medical history and present physical condition of all intending Haj pilgrims would be evaluated. The physical copy of the Health Card of the pilgrims would also be linked to the Haj Suvidha App in Haj-2025 to facilitate easy accessibility of data and an augmented response mechanism in dealing with instances of medical distress and emergencies.
The Ministry highlighted one of the biggest reforms carried out in the Haj administration to allow Muslim women of the age of 45 years or above to perform Haj without Mehram (male companion) under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category. An all-time high number of 4558 ladies have performed Haj under the LWM category in 2024 and efforts will be made to Haj more accessible and easier for LWM during Haj-2025.
Continuing this trajectory of reforms, during Haj-2024, the ‘Haj Suvidha App’ was launched to leverage information technology for enhancing the pilgrimage experience. The App provides the pilgrims access to training content, accommodation and flight details, baggage information, an emergency helpline (SOS), grievance redressal, feedback, language translation, and miscellaneous information and services related to the pilgrimage and also facilitates better coordination and control of the pilgrims by the Indian administration in Saudi Arabia.
State Haj Inspectors who are officials of the Central and State governments (known as Khadim-ul-hujjaj till Haj-2024) are being deputed at a higher ratio of 1:150 pilgrims, as against the earlier 1:300 pilgrims, to better aid, assist and guide the pilgrims during Haj-2025.
To provide more convenient banking facilities to the Haj Pilgrims, all D-SIB (Domestic Systemically Important Banks) will be allowed to provide customised banking services for Haj Pilgrims throughout the country through their branches and also at the Embarkation Points, the Ministry said.
– global bihari bureau
