Good news! Soon Indian pilgrims to visit Haj via sea route

New Delhi, January 8: A mutual relationship between India and Saudi Arabia is strengthened in past three years after PM Modi led central government came into power. However, this strengthened relationship and strong diplomacy of New Delhi has led Kingdom to give its nod to India's plan to revive the option of ferrying Haj pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah.

 

Notably, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday in a statement said that Saudi Arabia has given its nod to India's plan to revive the option of ferrying Haj pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah. The new initiative of sending pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah will make entire Haj process easier and transparent. As well as, this revolutionary initiative will cut down expenses by nearly half as compared to airfares.

After the signing of annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia in Mecca, Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Saudi Arabia has given its nod to revive the option of sending pilgrims by sea route. Officials from both the countries will discuss all the necessary formalities and technicalities so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years."

He also said that sending pilgrims through ships would help cut down travel expenses significantly and added that it would be a revolutionary, pro-poor, pilgrim-friendly decision. Minister Naqvi on this occasion also said that for the first time Muslim women from India will go to Haj without 'Mehram'.

The Minority Affairs Minister said, "Separate accommodation and transport have been arranged for these woman Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and woman Haj assistants will be deployed for their assistance." “More than 1,300 women have applied to go for Haj without 'Mehram'. All these women will be exempted from lottery system and allowed to proceed to Haj,” he added.

Importantly, the practice of ferrying Haj pilgrims between Mumbai and Jeddah by waterways existed earlier too but was stopped in 1995.