Omar, Mufti urge Centre to step in as Saudi Arabia 'cancels' 52,000 Hajj slots

Ruling and Opposition parties have come together to voice their concern after the reported cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots by Saudi Arabia for Indian pilgrims, and urged the Central government to take up the matter with their leadership. 

"The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year," J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah posted on his official X handle.

His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak to the Saudi leadership in this regard. "I appeal to the Prime Minister to raise the issue with the Saudi government and ensure that the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims is not reduced," he added.

PDP (People's Democratic Party) president Mehbooba Mufti said the sudden decision to reduce the Hajj quota has caused immense distress for both pilgrims and tour operators.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah (the non-mandatory 'lesser' pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca), business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 nations — including India — effective immediately and continuing until mid-June 2025.

"Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India's private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar," Mufti posted on X.

Hajj is likely to be held between 4 and 9 June this year, depending on the sighting of the moon, which marks the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

Many thousands of Muslims make the journey to Saudi Arabia as part of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, two of the holiest cities in Islam. This phase ends with the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha.

The majority of pilgrims spend three nights at Mina, also known as the 'tent city', for the Hajj pilgrimage.

As per media reports, Indian pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia either through the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI), a statutory organisation under the administrative control of the Union ministry of minority affairs, or through private tour operators, also known as 'Hajj group organisers'.

According to an X post by Union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju In January this year, India signed a Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia confirming a pilgrimage quota of 1,75,025 for Indians. “Hajj Agreement 2025 signed with Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for Hajj 2025. We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our HajJ pilgrims,” Rijiju had said in his post.

In 2024, nearly 140,000 Indians pilgrims went on the Hajj, according to Union government data.

With PTI inputs