Exploring further for well-being of Indian Haj pilgrims

JEDDAH

(Saudi Arabia): Soon after the the Haj operation ended this year, the Indian government indulged in exploring further moves to make the pilgrimage more comfortable and easier for Indian pilgrims for the next year. For the first time ever in Indian Haj history, culmination of one season witnessed the first step to the succeeding season.


The high-level Indian delegation's four-day visit to Jeddah last week was a breakthrough step by the government in the service to its

Haj pilgrims

. The delegation arrived here to review

India's Haj operations

and discuss ways of further improving arrangements for Haj in 2020. The team was led by Sailesh, secretary at ministry of minority affairs (MoMA), and included Nigar Fatima Husain, joint secretary at MoMA, and Md Nadeem, secretary at the ministry.

The delegation, accompanied by India's ambassador in Riyadh Dr Ausaf Sayeed, consul general Md Noor Rahman Sheikh and consul Haj Y Sabir, held several meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. The two sides discussed several other topics of mutual interest such as 'Makkah Route Initiative' as per which pilgrims can go through the

immigration

procedures before leaving the embarkation point, ways of reducing waiting time for pilgrims at airport during arrival and departure, SIM cards for the pilgrims, Haj-visa process, pilgrims' accommodation norms, arrangements in the places where

Haj rituals

take place and flight operations. During the meetings, both sides reviewed the arrangements for Haj-2019 for Indian pilgrims, and the good and bad of the implementation with an aim to improve future ones.

The Indian delegation congratulated the government of Saudi Arabia on the successful and smooth completion of Haj operations 2019 and conveyed the government of India's appreciation for the excellent Haj arrangements made by the Kingdom. It also thanked the Saudi government for increasing

India's Haj quota

to 200,000 as well as extending full cooperation to Indian officials involved in the Haj operation.

The officials of the ministry and the South Asian Establishment in-charge of pilgrims expressed their appreciation for the various arrangements made by the

Indian Haj Mission

for Indian pilgrims, especially pre-tagging of baggage, which has reduced waiting time for pilgrims at the airport. They also appreciated medical facilities and accommodation arrangements made available for Indian pilgrims. Meanwhile, Sailesh chaired an interactive session held at the consulate premises in the presence of ambassador, consul general and other officials for a comprehensive review of the Haj operations. After a detailed presentation by the consul general, feedback was taken from about 30 Indian administrative and medical officers who are on deputation to Saudi Arabia and have been working in the field to provide best possible assistance to Indian pilgrims.

The delegation also visited

Indian Haj Pilgrims

' Office-cum-Dispensary at Jeddah Haj Terminal and interacted with Indian pilgrims who were returning to India after a successful and hassle-free Haj. All Indian pilgrims had returned by September 15.