– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: The Haj Committee of India convened a Review Meeting for Haj 2025 Preparations at the Haj House in Mumbai on Friday. The event brought together senior officials, state Haj committee representatives, and key stakeholders to strategize for the upcoming Haj season.
A major highlight was the launch of the CBT (Computer-Based Test) Portal, a technological milestone designed to streamline the selection process for Haj Trainers and State Haj Inspectors. This advancement aims to enhance efficiency and transparency.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary of Ministry of Minority Affairs, alongside C.P.S. Bakshi, Joint Secretary of the ministry. The forum reflected on the key learnings from Haj 2024 and reviewed new measures and initiatives to ensure a seamless experience for Haj 2025.
In his address, Dr. Kumar underscored the importance of meticulous planning, collaborative efforts, and innovative technology to provide pilgrims with a hassle-free journey. Highlighting the crucial role of State Haj Inspectors (SHIs), he stressed the need for a merit-based selection of tech-savvy and committed applicants to address pilgrims’ issues effectively and offer personalised attention.
Bakshi reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and facilitation of pilgrims, pledging full support to all stakeholders involved in the Haj process.
The CBT Portal, developed in collaboration with BISAG-N, was showcased during the event. The BISAG-N team demonstrated the portal’s user-friendly interface and features, designed to simplify the recruitment process for SHIs and trainers.
Discussions among participants focussed on improving the overall Haj experience for pilgrims. Key topics included modalities for conducting computer-based exams for trainer and inspector selection, logistics, training programmes, medical facilities, and welfare services. Feedback from State and Union Territory Haj Committees was actively solicited to ensure seamless coordination among all stakeholders.
Mr. Ashfaque Ahmad Arfi, Executive Officer of Delhi State Haj Committee, shared his recent experience as a member of the Building Inspection-cum-Selection Team. He highlighted India’s proactive approach to early building selection, enabling the team to secure about 50% of the required accommodations for Haj 2025 in less than a week.
