MAKKAH – This year marks the first full-fledged Haj pilgrimage after the CoVid outbreak, with approximately 175,000 Indian pilgrims expected to partake in this spiritual journey. The Haj Committee of India will send around 140,000 pilgrims through the government quota, one of the highest in recent times. Haj arrangement is the most extensive logistic operations of the Government of India outside India. The Indian Hajj Mission, under Consulate General of India Jeddah is very crucial for its success. To ensure this, the Indian Haj Mission works round the clock to deliver the best services for pilgrims.
The specialty of this year’s Hajj is female Hajis without Mehram. Around 4000 female pilgrims are using this opportunity. The Indian Haj Mission has designated separate buildings, opened distinct branches and bus points to facilitate their seamless transportation and accommodation.
This year more than 47000 pilgrims are of age 60 and above. The Haj Mission has made special arrangements for them with enhanced medical care, wheelchair facilities, and the use of volunteers to help them.
This commitment to the welfare of the pilgrims was also evident in the visit of the Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan to Madina and Makkah on 5-6 June. Earlier, when the Hajj operations began in Madina, Ambassador Dr Khan received Hajis at the Madina Airport. After the arrival of more than 50000 Hajis in the Kingdom, he again reviewed the arrangements made for the Hajis by the Indian Mission in Makkah and Madinah.
During his tour, he took stock of the accommodation, medical arrangements made for the pilgrims, reviewed transportation facilities, and met with volunteers, medical workers, and officials. India in KSA wrote on Twitter, ‘Ambassador, along with Haj Coordinator, Medical Coordinator and Consul Haj, reviewed the medical arrangements made for the Haj Pilgrims in Medinah.’ Both in Madinah and Makkah pilgrims expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements made. Ambassador Dr Khan also instructed the officials to address any grievances and problems faced by the Pilgrims immediately.
During his visit, he also appealed to the Hajis not to be swayed by any baseless rumors and reiterated the Mission’s commitment to ensuring a comfortable stay for all the Pilgrims.
In Makkah, the Haj Mission has set up 3 Hospitals with a capacity of 40 beds, 30 beds, and 20 beds. To augment healthcare, the Mission also has opened about 17 dispensaries along with the branch offices. Ambassador Dr Khan assessed the arrangements and interacted with the Hajis, volunteers, medical personnel, and officials.
He also assessed the transportation facilities arranged for the pilgrims by the Indian Mission. 24 hours transport is provided to the Pilgrims in Makkah for the Pilgrims to visit the Holy Mosque. This year the Mission has also signed Special Additional Services Agreement with different companies to ensure that the transportation services to Mina, Arafat and Airport are of excellent quality.
Ambassador also thanked Saudi authorities for their cooperation in making Hajj a success.
