Aligarh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Saudi Arabia has increased India’s Haj quota, easing the process for Muslim pilgrims. During a public rally in Aligarh, PM Modi mentioned that he had asked the Crown Prince to raise the quota, leading to a simplified visa process for Indian Muslims.
Due to limited quotas, there used to be bribery, and only influential people got to go for Haj, he said. I requested the Crown Prince to increase the Haj quota for our Muslim brothers and sisters. Today, not only has the quota gone up, but the visa rules have also become easier.
PM Modi also highlighted that the government now allows women to go for Haj without a Mehram (male guardian), making it easier for women to fulfill this religious obligation.
In 2019, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia increased India’s Haj quota to 200,000 after PM Modi’s request. The 2024 Bilateral Haj Agreement, signed earlier this year, allows 175,025 pilgrims, with 140,020 seats for the Haj Committee of India and 35,005 for Haj Group Operators. This change will allow more first-time pilgrims to fulfill their dream of performing the Haj.
