Haj Yatra

Timelines

16 Jan 2019

2,340 women to visit Hajj without male-companion: Details here

Over 2,300 Muslim women from India will go on Hajj this year without 'Mehram' or male companion.

20 Aug 2018

Here's all you need to know about the Hajj pilgrimage

More than 2 million Muslims from around the world, including India, yesterday began the annual Hajj pilgrimage at first light in Saudi Arabia, circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca that Islam's faithful face five times each day during their prayers.

19 Aug 2018

Over 1.28 lakh Indian pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj

Over 1.28L Indian pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, officials said yesterday.

14 Jul 2018

Haj 2018: First batch of pilgrims leaves for Saudi Arabia

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has flagged off the first batch of Haj pilgrims today. He said the preparations for ensuring a smooth pilgrimage have been completed.

11 Feb 2018

#MosqueMeToo: Even sacred places like Mecca aren't safe for women

For millions of Muslims, Mecca is the holiest place. An estimated 2mn head there annually for Hajj.

16 Jan 2018

India abolishes Haj subsidy for pilgrims

The Center has withdrawn subsidies on Haj this year onwards. This could affect the 1.75L Muslims registered to go for the pilgrimage in 2018, the highest ever.

24 Dec 2017

Haj reform: Single Muslim women's Haj applications rise to 1,244

Following the Centre's decision to allow Muslim women for the Haj pilgrimage without being accompanied by a male relative, as many as 1,244 women have applied for the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia's Mecca.

10 Oct 2017

Women, men should share pregnancy for gender equality: Muslim cleric

In an outrageous statement, Muslim clerics body Jamiat Ulama's Secretary, Gulzar Azmi, mocked gender equality saying, "If you want equality, why don't men and women carry pregnancy for 4.5 months each?"

08 Oct 2017

Women may be able to go on Haj without males

If the Minority Affairs Ministry accepts a panel's recommendations, women above 45 years of age may soon be able to go on Haj without males.

06 Apr 2017

Haj subsidy 2017: Government grant drops by over 50%

With a drop of over 50% in Haj subsidy for 2017, pilgrims from Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Mumbai won't be covered under the scheme this year.

14 Jan 2017

A six-member committee set up to look into Haj Subsidy

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs constituted a six-member committee comprising experts to look into the "efficacy and viability" of the Haj Subsidy.