Lok Sabha Question No. 953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Haj Pilgrims
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-953

ANSWERED ON 08.02.2024

## HAJ PILGRIMS

## 953.    SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a delegation visited the city of Madinah and other countries/towns and interacted with the officials of Saudi Arabia and also with Indian volunteers who provided services to Haj  Pilgrims  and  Umrah  Pilgrims  of  India  and  sought  their  suggestions  to  ensure  that arrangements are made for Haj 2024 in a manner that it would be a comfortable experience for Indian Pilgrims;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made in this regard, country-wise since 2014 onwards to till date; and

(c) the issues resolved/pending in this respect till date?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): An inter-ministerial delegation, led by the Minister of Minority Affairs, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for signing of bilateral agreement with Minister of Hajj and Umrah, KSA. A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Haj Committee of India which  will  greatly  benefit  the  common  first  time  pilgrims  intending  to  undertake  the  Haj pilgrimage  in  2024  whereas  35,005  pilgrims  would  be  permitted  to  proceed  through  Haj Group Organisers.

During the bilateral meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, KSA, the digital initiatives of the Government of India in facilitating and promoting ease and convenience for the Indian Haj pilgrims by providing last mile information to the pilgrims were greatly appreciated by KSA  and  KSA  offered  to  extend  all  possible  help  in  this  regard.  The  initiative  of  the Government of  India  towards  encouraging  participation  under  the  Ladies  without  Mehram (LWM) category was discussed, deeply appreciated and lauded.

The  delegation  visited  the  Haj  Terminal  at  Jeddah,  to  oversee  the  arrangements  for  Haj pilgrims  and  explore  ways  to  facilitate  better  logistics  and  monitoring  mechanism  for  the convenience of the Indian Haj pilgrims.

The delegation visited the perimeters of the Prophet's Mosque (Al Masjid Al Nabwi) in the Markazia area of Madinah, the mountain of Uhud and the Quba Mosque. During the visit to Madinah, the delegation also took an overview of the accommodation available at Madinah for the pilgrims. The delegation interacted with Indian volunteers who provide dedicated and selfless  service  to  Indian  Haj  pilgrims,  including  during  Haj  2023  and also interacted with Umrah pilgrims from India. The visit to Madinah helped provide a firsthand insight into the arrangements  required  to  be  made  for  ensuring  a  comfortable  Haj  2024  for  the  Indian pilgrims.  The  scope  for  digital  initiatives  for  seamless  delivery  of  services  including grievance redressal and setting up and enhancement of robust and reliable medical facilities for the pilgrims were discussed.

The Minister led delegation attended the inaugural session of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition at Jeddah. This global conference included sessions, workshops, and training seminars  by  key  decision  makers,  experts,  academics  and  researchers.  The  event  was attended by ministers and officials from diverse locations worldwide, along with the presence of  over  200  entities  representing  both  private  and  public  entities  engaged  in  the  Haj  and Umrah sector. This provided valuable insights on the best practices globally, and facilitated exchange  of  ideas  and  information,  which  would  prove  useful  in  improving  the  Haj experience for the Indian pilgrims. On the sidelines of the Conference, there was a meeting with  the  Deputy  Governor  of  Makkah  Region  in  which  there  was  discussion  on  scope  for further close cooperation for improving facilities and services for Indian pilgrims during the Haj pilgrimage at Makkah.

India and KSA share warm and cordial ties and the special gesture of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,  KSA  in  facilitating  the  visit  of  the  Indian  delegation  to  Madinah  is  deeply appreciated. The visit would go a long way in providing better services to the Haj pilgrims and improving people to people contact with the Saudis.

The Government of India is sensitive and cognizant of the best interests of the pilgrims and is deeply committed to provide better facilities and services to Indian Muslims who undertake the Haj pilgrimage, thereby providing them with a comfortable and fulfilling Haj experience.

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