The Indian government has entered into a significant agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that will greatly benefit Indian Muslims. This recent development pertains to the annual Haj pilgrimage – a holy journey that many devout Muslims aspire to make at least once in their lifetime.
The Bilateral Haj Agreement, set for the year 2024, assigns a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India who will embark on the holy journey to Mecca. Out of this number, 1,40,020 seats are allocated for the Haj Committee of India, while Haj Group Operators have been given a quota of 35,005 seats.
Committed to inclusivity and gender equality, the agreement notably appreciates and supports the efforts of the Indian government to motivate women pilgrim participation, even without the mandatory presence of a Mehram or male companion.
Understanding the Intricacies of the Haj Pilgrimage
The Haj pilgrimage is one of the five essential pillars of Islam and bears immense significance for all Muslim adults who are expected to undertake this sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their life, if they are physically and financially able to do so.
These Five Pillars of Islam comprise Shahada or Faith, Salah or Prayer, Zakat or Charity, Sawm or Fasting, and Hajj or Pilgrimage. The Haj pilgrimage itself takes place over five to six days during Dhu’al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Pilgrims donning simple white garments known as Ihram, symbolic of equality and purity, participate in a series of holy rituals. These include circling the Kaaba, a black cubic structure located at the Grand Mosque, seven times in a counter-clock-line formation – a ritual referred to as Tawaf in Arabic. Additionally, they also kiss or touch the Black Stone placed at a corner of the Kaaba.
Haj Pilgrimage: A Look at the Indian Scenario
In India, the Haj pilgrimage is conducted either through the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) or through the Ministry-approved Haj Group Organisers (HGOs). The HCoI, which is a statutory body functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Minority Affairs, came into existence in 2002 under the Haj Committee Act, 2002.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs functions as the principal ministry to oversee and manage the conduct of the Haj pilgrimage in India. Furthermore, the Consulate General of India (CGI) located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is responsible for coordinating all arrangements pertaining to the HCI pilgrims while they are in Saudi Arabia for Haj.
