Saudi Arabia okays India’s plan to ferry Haj pilgrims via sea route: Naqvi
Team Udayavani, Jan 9, 2018, 11:05 AM IST
New Delhi: Saudi Arabia has given its nod to India’s plan to revive the option of ferrying Haj pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a statement today.
Naqvi made the comment after the signing of annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia in Mecca.
“Saudi Arabia has given its nod to revive the option of sending pilgrims by sea route…Officials from both the countries will discuss all the necessary formalities and technicalities so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years,” Naqvi said according to the statement.
Naqvi said that sending pilgrims through ships would help cut down travel expenses significantly and added that it would be a “revolutionary, pro-poor, pilgrim-friendly decision”.
The practice of ferrying Haj pilgrims between Mumbai and Jeddah by waterways existed earlier too, but was stopped from 1995.
Naqvi also said that for the first time Muslim women from India will go to Haj without ‘Mehram’ (male companion).
“Separate accommodation and transport have been arranged for these woman Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and woman Haj assistants will be deployed for their assistance,” he added.
More than 1,300 women have applied to go for Haj without ‘Mehram’. All these women will be exempted from lottery system and allowed to proceed to Haj, he added.
Women above 45 years of age, who wish to go for Haj but who don’t have a male companion, are allowed to travel for Haj in groups of four or more women according to the new Haj policy of India.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
HC grants bail to man held for sexually assaulting ‘friend’ at Mumbai beach in 2021
‘No evidence of wrongdoing’: CBI closes UPA-era Air India aircraft leasing
AAP using court for its political drama, repackaging old allegations: BJP
Tribal woman fourth to be killed within two months in wild elephant attacks in Kerala
Rahul Gandhi maintains silence on CAA, says Kerala CM
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Rs 20.14 cr unaccounted cash seized in poll run up in Karnataka
HC grants bail to man held for sexually assaulting ‘friend’ at Mumbai beach in 2021
Congress’s Kolar conundrum remains unsolved despite CM, DCM attempt to quell dissent
Mangaluru: Illegal slaughterhouse raided by police, Three arrested
‘No evidence of wrongdoing’: CBI closes UPA-era Air India aircraft leasing