Haj Pilgrims

• 05 May 2025

Why in News? 

The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir flew out of Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. 

 Key Points 

• Pilgrim Statistics:  
  • Around 3,622 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir will perform the Haj pilgrimage this year. 
    • The first batch comprised 178 pilgrims who boarded a direct flight to Saudi Arabia. 
• Hajj Pilgrimage: 
  • The Hajj is a religious pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is considered a central part of Muslim religious life. 
  • Five Pillars: 
    • Shahada (Faith): The declaration of faith in the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as God's prophet. 
    • Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca. 
    • Zakat (Charity): Giving a portion of one's wealth to those in need. 
    • Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan. 
    • Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in a lifetime if one is physically and financially able. 
  • The Hajj takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and involves several rituals. 
    • Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered one of the most sacred months in the Islamic year and is seen as a time of renewal, spiritual growth, and reflection, and is considered an important time to strive for greater closeness with God. 
  • Participating in the Hajj is seen as a way to demonstrate one's devotion to God and to earn spiritual merit, and it is a source of great pride and inspiration for many Muslims. 

 Haj pilgrimage for the Indian Pilgrims 

• Haj pilgrimage for the Indian Pilgrims is conducted either through Haj Committee of India (HCoI), which is a statutory organization under the administrative control of Ministry of Minority Affairs or through the Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) duly approved by Ministry. 
  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs is the nodal ministry to conduct Haj pilgrimage in India. 
• The Haj Committee of India (HCI) was established in 2002 under the Haj Committee Act, 2002. 
  • All aspects of the arrangements for the HCI pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are coordinated by the Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 
• India signed the Haj 2023 bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia. According to the agreement, a total of 1,75,025 Indian Haj pilgrims will be able to perform Haj, reportedly the highest in history.