First Batch Of Hajj Pilgrims Leaves For Saudi Arabia From Delhi’s IGI Airport

The first batch of Hajj pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday from Delhi’s IGI airport at 2:20 am. The flight, carrying 285 pilgrims, headed for the 40-day pilgrimage to the Islamic pilgrimage sites in Mecca and Medina.

Sharing their joy before departing for Hajj, a pilgrim said, “I can’t describe my happiness. It is bigger than any happiness in life. Allah has called me. My Dua is to seek Allah’s blessing for everyone. It is now easier as we can go directly from Srinagar and need not go to Delhi.”

Aijaz Hussain, from J&K Member Haj Committee of India, congratulated the pilgrims going to perform Hajj for the year 2024. 

He said, “All the facilities have been taken care of. 37 women without mahram are going for Hajj this time. A total of around 7,000 pilgrims will be going to perform Hajj this year from J&K.”

Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and the annual pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims the world over. 

Improved Facilities for Hajj

Kausar Jahan, the chairperson of the Delhi State Haj Committee, said the government has introduced the ‘Har Suvidha’ mobile application for the convenience of the pilgrims. 

“The support and facilities for the pilgrims have been getting better under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have introduced the ‘Har Suvidha’ mobile application this year for the convenience of the pilgrims as well as their security during the journey. In the event of an emergency or an unforeseen situation, the app will connect a pilgrim directly to the control room and help centre. As many as 16,500 pilgrims are registered to depart Delhi for Haj this year,” she said. 

To add to the smoothness of the Hajj experience, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier announced that the Umrah visa will remain valid for three months from the date of issuance. This adjustment aims to ensure a seamless journey for pilgrims to the sacred destinations of Makkah and Madinah.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally mentioned how only the influential could get the chance to go and perform Hajj. 

He also said that upon his insistence, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia increased the Haj quota for Indian Muslims. Visa rules have also been updated allowing Muslim women to go for Hajj alone.

The first Hajj flight pilgrims have been received by Dr Suhel Khan, joined by Minister of Transport & Logistic Services H.E. Saleh Al-Jasser & Vice Haj Minister, Dr. Abdul-Fattah Mashat, at Madinah Airport on May 9.