Is India Truly Committed to Ensuring the Safety and Comfort of All Hajis?

Riyadh, May 15 (NationPress) India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, interacted with pilgrims from various Indian states in Mecca on Thursday. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is actively working to facilitate a seamless and enjoyable Haj pilgrimage for everyone.

During his visit, Ambassador Suhel Khan checked on the well-being and concerns of the pilgrims in Mecca, emphasizing the Government of India's dedication to the comfort and safety of Indian Hajis, aiming to make their spiritual journey as smooth as possible.

Earlier that day, he was joined by Indian Consul (Haj) Muhammed Abdul Jaleel and other coordinators to review the various operational desks, branch offices, and medical dispensaries established to assist Indian pilgrims in Mecca.

Furthermore, the Ambassador conducted a thorough assessment of the Azizia transport system in Mecca, which offers uninterrupted, 24-hour service for pilgrims commuting from their residences to the Haram Sharif through the Indian Haj Mission.

The medical and accommodation services for Indian Haj pilgrims are under continuous scrutiny and evaluation. The Indian Consul General in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, convened a review meeting on Wednesday with officials and staff stationed in temporary branch offices and dispensaries set up by the Indian Haj Mission.

In a noteworthy development under the Indian government's progressive 'Lady Without Mehram' (LWM) initiative, the Ambassador and his wife welcomed an all-women Haj pilgrim group from Kerala at the Jeddah Haj Terminal.

On this occasion, Ambassador Suhel Khan and his spouse, Rifat Khan, expressed their support for the women benefiting from this policy, which allows females to undertake Haj without a male companion.

To further ensure the success of the Haj pilgrimage, Ambassador Khan reviewed the arrival logistics for Indian pilgrims at the Jeddah Haj Terminal, meeting with staff and community volunteers.

The first batch of Indian Haj pilgrims arrived in the country on April 29. The Indian government prioritizes enabling Indian Muslims to perform the annual pilgrimage, progressively increasing the allocation for India to 175,025 in 2025, up from 136,020 in 2014.

For Haj 2025, the Indian Haj Mission is focusing on providing dedicated support for elderly pilgrims and individuals with special needs, as stated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), which manages the arrangements through the Haj Committee of India.

All essential preparations, including flight schedules, transportation, Mina camps, accommodation, and additional services, have been completed according to Saudi requirements and within the established timelines.