First batch of Indian Hajis reach Madina, India introduces pre-allotment of buildings for first time

Indian envoy Sayeed with Indian Consul General Jeddah Noor welcoming Indian Hajis

New Delhi: The first batch of 419 Indian Hajis reached Madina on Thursday and were welcomed by Indian envoy to Saudi Arabia Dr Ausaf Sayeed and Indian consul general in Jeddah Md Noor Rahman Sheikh.

The 2019 Haj season has begun and will continue till September 14. 

For the first time, the Indian mission has introduced pre-allotment of buildings in Madina. This means rooms were allotted to Hajis prior to their departure from India. For Mecca, pre-allotment has been happening for years now. Pre-allotment drastically reduces the time taken for the arrival of Hajis since they are already aware of the rooms allotted to them.

Also, for the first time, Haj Committee of India has put tags on the baggage of Hajis marking the hotel and building details along with the room allotted to Hajis.

Indian mission has put in place a 10 bedded main dispensary and three branch dispensaries in localities where Hajis have been accommodated in Madina. 

Hajis will stay in Madina for eight days and then move to Mecca on June 12 after offering 40 prayers at Prophet Mosque. 

About 63,000 Indian Hajis will arrive in Madina from Thursday till 21st June. Remaining 77,000 will arrive in Jeddah from July 20 to August 5.

In Jeddah, the first Haj Charter flight from India will arrive from July 20 from Ahmedabad.

Core Haj period is from August 8 to August 14, 2019.