Over 1.28 lakh Indian pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj
What's the story
Over 1.28L Indian pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, officials said yesterday. A total of 1,28,702 Indian pilgrims are facilitated by the government to undertake the pilgrimage through the Hajj Committee this year. As many as 466 flights have brought the Indian pilgrims to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and the last flight landed Friday morning. Here's more.
Information
47% of the total pilgrims going for Hajj are women
A record 1,75,025 Muslims from India are going to Hajj this year, according to the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. Over 47% of the total number of pilgrims going for Hajj are women, which is the highest ever representation of women in Hajj from India.
First time
Indian women going to Hajj without male guardian
Till last year, it was mandatory for a Muslim woman to be accompanied by her husband or a mehram (a person with whom marriage is unlawful) for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. For the first time, Indian women will be going on Hajj without the company of a male relative. This is the first year when Hajj is taking place without being provided any subsidy.
Information
Pilgrimage represents one of the five pillars of Islam
The Hajj pilgrimage represents one of the five pillars of Islam and is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life. Over 1.6mn Muslim faithful from abroad have arrived in Saudi Arabia. Since arriving, many have circled the Kaaba in Mecca Islam's holiest site.