The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Several Kashmiri Hajj pilgrims who embarked on the holy journey of Hajj from Srinagar on May 16, 2024, expressed strong resentment over poor arrangements at Mecca. The aggrieved pilgrims alleged that the group made all-out efforts in every possible way and moved from pillar to post to get their due complaints resolved but all in vain.

Speaking to the local news agency KNS, Syed Shafaq (PP No. S9423449) and Shafiq Hussain (PP No. S4842333) said, "We pilgrims of batch dated 16-05-2024 consisting 322 pilgrims were initially prepared in the Haj training conducted at Srinagar Haj House to be taken to Madina Munawara first from Srinagar, however, on the departure, we were surprisingly given boarding cards showing arrival at Jedda and were then taken to Makkah."

The pilgrims said after spending a week in Makkah, they requested to be taken to Madina Munawara but the Maktab (concerned agency responsible for managing and facilitating the group on behalf of the Saudi Government) denied the same on the pretext that the group does not belong to their Maktab having ID No. 276 and actually belong to Maktab No. 173.

The group was informed that this had happened due to an error that was taking place at State Haj Committee Srinagar, responsible for the assignment of Maktabs.

They said that after conducting a series of meetings with officials of Indian Haj Office Makkah, the matter was resolved after several days of strenuous efforts and the batch of pilgrims was handed over to new Maktab No. 173 who took the entire group of pilgrims to Madina Munawara on the evening of May 28, 2024, barring 19 pilgrims whose names didn’t figure in the list of Maktab No. 173 for unknown reasons.

The 19 pilgrims (11 in building No. 91 and 8 in building No. 134) were not taken to Madina Munawara for none of their fault, who are currently passing through a traumatic situation by being left here at Makkah high and dry, they said.

They added that even the Khudams concerned failed to do anything in this regard, who also left for Madina with the group and abandoned them as helpless and mute spectators. "We made all-out efforts in every possible way and went from pillar to post to get along with the group to Madina but all in vain. No one came to our help," they added.

Further, big promises made by Hajj Committee members at Srinagar that very good arrangements shall be in place for all pilgrims this year proved to be a lie, as per the pilgrims. "However, the reality on the ground was contrary i.e., five persons bundled in an in-capacious room with small washrooms in Mecca. The accommodation is with poor Wi-Fi connectivity and sans basic facilities like washing machines etc," they continued.

Expressing disappointment over poor and inadequate arrangements, the pilgrims said this is a pathetic situation they are presently put in. “It indicates gross mismanagement right from leaving from Srinagar where at the eleventh hour, we were informed to be going to Jedda instead of Mecca and faced a lot of inconvenience and mental agony in one way or the other till date.”

Speaking over the phone, they said that at this time (11 am Saudi time), they are at the Indian Hajj Office in Mecca to find out some resolution to their woes but no firm and positive response has been given by Indian officials, who also raise their hands in the matter with the pretext that this is the problem at the Maktab-276 end and they are unable to help us in this matter.

"We are currently disturbed and distressed. 19 pilgrims feel to have been left at the mercy of Allah," they added.

Executive Officer Haj House Bemina, Dr Shujaat Qureshi, said that a minor issue had arisen with one of the Maktabs, affecting 18 pilgrims. He assured that he was personally handling the matter and would resolve it within the next 24 hours.

SRINAGAR — Two pilgrims from Kashmir Valley who had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah passed away after performing their religious obligation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj Umrah Companies (JKAHUC) said that two Kashmiri pilgrims who have been identified as Ghulam Qadir Reshi of Tangmarg and Misra Banoo of Pulwama passed away after performing religious duties in Makkah.

Ghulam Qadir, 80, died in Makkah while Misra Banoo, 61, passed away after suffering from a severe heart attack on a flight from Jeddah to Delhi.

SRINAGAR — A 70-year-old woman from south Kashmir’s Shopian district passed away in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

According the family sources, Haleema Begum, a resident of Kaprin Shopian, was alongside her sister at Mecca to perform Umrah (‘minor pilgrimage’) — undertaken by Muslims to enter Mecca.

The funeral prayers of the deceased woman, the family said, were led by Imam-e-Kabbah, following which her mortal remains were buried in the holy city only.

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Government of India today signed a bilateral agreement with the Saudi Arabia kingdom for Haj 2023 after which it was announced that this year, over 1,75000 Indian pilgrims will perform the annual journey of Hajj.

“Yes, the GoI signed a bilateral agreement with the Saudi Arabia kingdom for Haj 2023. This year, 175025 pilgrims from India will perform Haj,” Member of the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), Er Aijaz Hussain said.

He said that this will be for the first time that close to two lakh pilgrims from India will perform the sacred journey of Haj 2023. Er Aijaz also informed that Haj 2023 forms will be available very soon.

The HCoI has held a series of meetings to ensure that Haj pilgrims get better facilities compared to previous journeys this year and more embankments are set up. The HCoI has stated that this year, Haj will be smoother for pilgrims than in previous years.

Er Aijaz said that this year, HCoI has taken steps to plug all the loopholes and ensure that all pilgrims from India perform Haj in a much smoother way than earlier. He said that women pilgrims can also perform Haj without Mahram, this year.

He said that every pilgrim will get the due share of Zam Zam water without any hassle. Er Aijaz said that online Haj forms will be available very soon and the list of pilgrims selected will be made available within the shortest possible time. He said that pilgrims will get enough time to pack things and also at the respective Haj houses, they will be facilitated in a friendly manner. The schedule for Haj training for pilgrims will be made available in advance.

Er Aijaz said that mode of payment for the pilgrims will also be made available and every pilgrim will get prior information about making payments. He said HCoI has been working hard to ensure Haj is made cheaper this year.

SRINAGAR — Many news outlets reported on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia had barred travellers from bringing Zamzam water on aeroplanes.

According to the reports, the Saudi aviation body, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), issued Hajj Instructions. However, a directive provided in paragraph 6.9 on page 11 was misquoted in the majority of the reports.

The reports claimed that pilgrims are not permitted to bring Zamzam water, and all airlines have been directed to guarantee that no passengers travelling via Jeddah or any other airport in Saudi Arabia have bottles filled with holy water.

Airlines have been told that breaking the new instructions will result in severe consequences.

Pilgrims to carry 'allowed amount' of Zamzam water

However, according to the Hajj Instructions accessed by The Kashmir Pulse from the GACA website, pilgrims will be able to carry the 'allowed amount' of Zamzam water.

Airlines are completely barred from transporting Zamzam water unless in the amount approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's electronic service and produced by the Custodian of the Holy Mosques Zamzam Project, according to the notification.

The wrapping company at the airport must wrap the Zamzam water container properly, the notification continued.

All airlines have been asked to ensure Zamzam logistics on the ferry, with the holy water not to be left at the airport until the Hajj season is through.

Passengers are only allowed to purchase and check-in with a single box of five litres of Zamzam water, which must be put in manufactured packaging provided by the Saudi Airport Authority, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Pertinently, the Zamzam well, which is located 20 metres from the Kaaba, is known as the oldest of its kind.

Muslims believe that the arrival of Hazrat Ismail (AS) to Makkah in the year of his birth happens to be the year when Zamzam first appeared. The well of blessed water is approximately 4000 years old as per the Hijri calendar.

The Zamzam well is said to be among the most enduring miracles of Islam, depicting the mercy of Allah Almighty. It is believed to be sacred within Islam as its origin is mentioned in key Islamic texts.

SRINAGAR — The Government of India (GoI) has mooted a proposal that has been forwarded to the Hajj Ministry of Saudi Arabia suggesting considering the Hajj aspirants who have attained the age of 65 years.

The suggestions came to the fore in a meeting of the Central Haj Committee of India held in Mumbai. Sources privy to the meeting told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in the meeting, members suggested that in the year 2020, some Hajj aspirants who had applied for Hajj died and others couldn’t take off the journey as the pandemic scuttled the Hajj for 2020 and 2021.

“We deliberated on the issue threadbare and suggestions came to fore that the Hajj aspirants who have attained the age of 65 years should be considered for the Hajj 2022,” member of the Central Haj Committee of India, Er Aijaz Hussain told KNO, over the phone from Mumbai.

“We will see if the Saudi government agrees to accommodate the people having attained the age of 65 years,” Er Aijaz said.

“We are hopeful that the Saudi government will accommodate the Hajj aspirants having attained the age of 65 years,” he said.

He said that over 55000 people will perform Hajj in the year 2022 from various parts of India and from J&K, 5196 Hajj aspirants will perform the sacred journey.

From J&K alone, some 10,000 applications were received by the Hajj committee. There will be draws now to select the aspirants, which is expected in a few days from now.

Pertinently, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia recently announced the Hajj quota for countries. This year, one million people will perform Hajj.

Interestingly, Saudi government recently announced that Hajj aspirants up to the age of 64 years are entitled for Hajj 2022.

SRINAGAR — A 25-year-old youth from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district died after falling from a building in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Reports reaching news agency Kashmir Dot Com said that the youth identified as Imran Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Nehalpora area in Baramulla was working with Shahwarmar Company Taif in Saudi Arabia.

Preliminary reports said that Sheikh had fallen from a building at his working place and was immediately shifted to a hospital where he was declared dead.

As per the deceased's family, Saudi Police have taken his body for medico-legal formalities and are also ascertaining the exact cause of death.

In the aftermath of the accident, Saudi Police registered a case and also went to the spot to check the CCTV footage besides finding out the circumstances in which Sheikh had died.

The family has appealed to the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Ministry of External Affairs for the early return of his body from Saudi Arabia so that they can perform his last rites.

Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, Nasir Khuehami said that the association has written to Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to help the family and pursue this matter with the Ministry of External Affairs in airlifting the mortal remains of the deceased back to Kashmir from Saudi Arabia for the last rites at his ancestral village.

Sources in Raj-Bhawan told KDC that the Lt Governor has taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs for the earliest redressal.

SRINAGAR — The Saudi Arabia government on Friday announced the final Hajj 2022, stating that this year 55164 aspirants will perform the pilgrimage from India of which 5196 people will perform the sacred journey from Jammu and Kashmir UT.

The quota was announced after a long wait as the Saudi government allowed Hajj 2022 after a gap of two years. For years 2020 and 2021, Hajj remained suspended for foreign travellers due to the Covid pandemic. The Saudi government also announced that one million people will perform Hajj this year.

Talking to news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) from New Delhi, Central Haj Committee member Engineer Aijaz Hussain said that this year 5196 people from J&K will perform Hajj. “In entire India, 55164 aspirants are entitled to leave for the holy pilgrimage,” he said.

He said Uttar Pradesh has got the highest quota where over 8000 people will leave for the Hajj journey.

“First Hajj flight from J&K will leave on May 31 this year,” he said, adding that in every State and UT including J&K, all the arrangements are in place for facilitating Hajis from the Hajj House to Srinagar International Airport.

He said a meeting was held in Delhi where the arrangements for Zone 1 States/UTs were discussed and final shape was given to the arrangements. “All measures are being put in place for the smooth departure of Hajj flights from J&K and the rest of the Indian States,” said Er Aijaz, who was recently appointed as a member of the Central Hajj Committee of India.

Pertinently, the Saudi government this year has put an age bar for the pilgrims and only those below 65 years of age are entitled to the Hajj 2022.

J&K Hajj Committee had extended the date after the age-bar announcement from the Saudi government and April 22 was fixed as the last date for submission of Hajj 2022 forms.

State Executive Committee Officer, Dr Abdul Salaam Mir said that in total, 10,000 applications have been received by them and all the aspirants are below 65 years of age. “Now that only 5196 people are entitled to Hajj as per the quota announced, we have no choice other than to go for draws,” he said.

“Draws will be held after April 26 after which the list of those selected will be put on the Hajj Committee website,” he said, adding the money to be submitted by the Hajj pilgrims will be announced separately, shortly.