Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi added, “Haj pilgrims of India should pray for the peace and prosperity of the entire world and that the humanity be remain safe from all kinds of crisis”.
Mumbai: The Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday flagged off the first batch of 410 Haj pilgrims from Mumbai. The minister added the first batch consists of 207 male and 203 women Haj pilgrims.
“Today flagged off 1st batch of #Haj2022 pilgrims, going from Mumbai, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Also extended best wishes to them for their successful pilgrimage. This batch consists of 410 Haj pilgrims (207 male and 203 women Haj pilgrims),” the minister said in a tweet.
Naqvi added, “Haj pilgrims of India should pray for the peace and prosperity of the entire world and that the humanity be remain safe from all kinds of crisis”.
The minister further said, “Haj 2022 is going on successfully with significant reforms, 100 % digital/online Haj process & better facilities to pilgrims.”
Naqvi informed, “Digital Health Card, “E-MASIHA” health facility & “E-luggage pre-tagging”, providing all information regarding accommodation/transportation in Makkah-Madinah to the pilgrims in India itself, has been provided to all the Haj pilgrims.”
As many as 79,237 Indian Muslims are going for Haj 2022. These include about 50 per cent women. Out of these, 56,601 Indian Muslims are going through the Haj Committee of India and 22,636 Muslims through Haj Group Organisers.
The minister added, “More than 1800 Muslim women are going for #Haj2022 without “Mehram” (male companion), these women are going to Haj without lottery system.”
Royal Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Mumbai, H E Sulaiman Bin Eid Alotaibi, Haj Committee of India Chairman A P Abdullakutty, Haj Committee of India CEO Mohd Yakoob Shekha and other senior officials were present on the occasion, the minister said.
The Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Haj is a mandatory religious duty of Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey and of supporting their family during their absence from home.