– M Rafi Ahmed
Not unusual for Muslims more so from the middle- and lower-income group to save money with the ‘Niyat’ (Intention) to fulfil their final religious duty of performing Hajj. And there are numerous stories of couples embarking on Haj pilgrimage after several years of savings. And age doesn’t deter them from doing their final spiritual duty. No doubt, the Almighty answers their prayers.
It is heartening to hear a couple from Indonesia saving money since 1986 for their Hajj pilgrimage. Great to infer that Legiman, a conservancy worker despite financial constraints decided to perform Hajj along with his spouse. On cloud nine were the couple after they landed the holy sands in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to Makkah Route Initiative for being instrumental in the arrangement for their Hajj pilgrimage independently sans any group.
Speaking to a paper, Legiman reported saying that his wife’s encouragement made this possible as she started setting aside just 1,000 Indonesian Rupiah a day. Even though they lived in tough conditions and earned a living by collecting waste, they stayed committed to their dream of performing Hajj. No gainsaying the fact that the couple’s patience and perseverance paid them off as they finally registered and travelled to Makkah this year.
The Makkah Route Initiative provided a range of services to facilitate travel, including biometric registration, electronic visa processing, and health compliance verification – all completed in the pilgrim’s home country. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims commenced their Hajj with minimal delays. Hajj 2025 is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in the Gregorian calendar, although the exact start will depend on the sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia.
In the Islamic calendar, these days correspond to the 8th through the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the month reserved for the pilgrimage.
Notably, the pilgrims from across the globe make a beeline to the holy city of Makkah and Madinah for performing Hajj. Pilgrims begin by travelling to Mina at dawn on the Day of Tarwiyah, stand at Arafah on the following day, and then perform the stoning of the Shaitan (Devil) and offer their sacrifice during the Days of Tashreeq before Hajj concludes.
It may be noted that Hajj is a religious obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime. For Legiman and his wife, their long-awaited pilgrimage marks the fulfilment of a decades-long dream. It is learnt that this year India was allotted a quota of 1,75,025 for Hajj 2025 of which 1,22,517 or 70% were selected by a lottery by the Hajj Committee of India which is managed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The remaining 52,507 were distributed among 26 Combined Hajj Group Organisers.
Meanwhile, reports said that over 42,000 pilgrims will not be able to perform the sacred Hajj pilgrimage this year. After the Indian government’s intervention, Saudi Arabia has allowed private operators to complete arrangements for 10,000 Indian pilgrims, less than the allotted private quota of over 52,000. This time more emphasis has been given for pilgrims performing Hajj through State Hajj Committees in the respective States.
In an Instagram post, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote: “The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar 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.”
Likewise, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti called it “disturbing news” that is causing “immense distress” for pilgrims and tour operators. “I urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution,” she said in a post on X.
[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]
