Ruling and Opposition events in Jammu and Kashmir have urged the Centre to discover a decision as experiences point out Saudi Arabia has cancelled 52,000 slots for Indian pilgrims to this yr Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to have interaction with Saudi Arabia authorities on the earliest and remedy the problem.
“The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, lots of whom have already accomplished funds, is deeply regarding. I urge the Hon’ble Minister of Exterior Affairs Dr S Jaishankar to have interaction with the Saudi authorities on the earliest to discover a decision within the curiosity of all affected pilgrims. This measure is essential to ease the misery of hundreds hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this yr,” Abdullah mentioned in a submit on Instagram.
Hajj is among the 5 pillars of Islam, and each Muslim is meant to undertake the pilgrimage a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime, in response to the Quran.
Ruling Nationwide Convention president Farooq Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make sure that the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims is just not lowered. “I attraction to the Prime Minister to boost the problem with the Saudi authorities and be sure that the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims is just not lowered,” Farooq mentioned. The previous chief minister added that each Muslim desires of occurring the Hajj pilgrimage a minimum of as soon as in a lifetime.
When requested about some opposition leaders flagging the problem whereas there was no official assertion from the federal government on the matter up to now, the previous Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister informed information company PTI, “He (the Prime Minister) ought to urge them (the Saudi Arabia management) that this subject is said to hundreds of individuals… they lower your expenses in order that they’ll go on this holy pilgrimage. It’s a dream of each Muslim to go there.”
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti termed it a “disturbing information” and added that it causes immense misery for pilgrims and tour operators throughout the nation. “Disturbing information rising from Saudi Arabia. Studies point out that 80% of India’s non-public Haj quota has been lower abruptly. This sudden determination is inflicting immense misery for pilgrims and tour operators throughout the nation. I urge the Ministry of Exterior Affairs to right away intervene by taking over this matter with the Saudi authorities to hunt a decision,” Mufti posted on X, tagging the Exterior Affairs Ministry and Jaishankar.
Disturbing information rising from Saudi Arabia. Studies point out that 80% of India’s non-public Haj quota has been lower abruptly. This sudden determination is inflicting immense misery for pilgrims and tour operators throughout the nation.
Urge the Ministry of Exterior Affairs to right away…— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 13, 2025
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the authority behind the pilgrimage, and because the variety of pilgrims has elevated over time, the Saudi authorities allots country-wise quotas that decide the whole variety of pilgrims allowed to attend the pilgrimage.
This quota is decided by the variety of Muslims residing in a specific nation, and nations usually foyer diplomatically for a bigger quota.