Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju praised the successful collaboration between the Ministry and the Hajj Committee of India, resulting in the Indian Hajj Mission receiving two Labbaytum Awards from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Minister expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting the excellence in Hajj coordination and communication.
Rijiju acknowledged the seamless coordination among the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Hajj Committee of India, and the Indian Hajj Mission, led by the Ambassador in KSA and CGI Jeddah. He expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its continuous support and exceptional arrangements for pilgrims. The Hajj pilgrimage for 2026 from India began on April 18, with over 1.75 lakh pilgrims undertaking the sacred journey.
Comprehensive arrangements were made by the Ministry in collaboration with the Hajj Committee of India, Central Ministries, State Governments, and Saudi authorities to ensure smooth logistics and enhanced on-ground facilitation for pilgrims. The operations were carried out through 17 embarkation points across the country, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and others, to ensure regional accessibility and efficient logistics.
New initiatives for Hajj 2026 included digital facilitation through the Hajj Suvidha App, deployment of Hajj Suvidha Smart Wristbands for assistance, and the introduction of a shorter 20-day Hajj option for the first time, offering more flexibility to pilgrims. The Union government also provided increased insurance coverage per pilgrim, enhanced train services between Makkah and Madinah, and improved monitoring and grievance redressal mechanisms for a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage experience.
