By Anwarulhaq Baig
NEW DELHI—In preparation for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the Delhi Haj Committee organized a one-day comprehensive training programme for the selected pilgrims at various locations across the national capital, including the Ishaat-e-Islam Masjid located at the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) headquarters here.
Around 250-300 pilgrims attended the training programme.
Delhi State Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan warmly welcomed and congratulated the attendees on their selection for the Haj pilgrimage to Makkah. During the event, she briefed them about the recently launched Haj Suvidha App, designed to assist and guide pilgrims throughout their journey.
The Haj Committee chairperson informed that the committee is establishing an air-conditioned Haj camp at the historic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to accommodate the pilgrims during their stay before boarding the flight for Saudi Arabia.
Delhi State Haj Committee Executive Officer Ashfaq Ahmed Arfi, speaking at the programme, revealed that a team of doctors from the Delhi government’s Health Directorate is stationed at the Haj Manzil to administer various vaccinations to the pilgrims. The vaccination process for the pilgrims commenced on April 26, with area-wise immunization drives conducted in locations such as Jamia Nagar, Mustafabad, Welcom, and Janakpuri, among others.
Arfi further disclosed that the Delhi Haj Committee received a total of 4,082 Haj applications for the year 2024, out of which 3,016 individuals were selected through a digitalized random selection process, while the remaining 1,066 applicants were placed on the waiting list.
A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims going through Haj Committee of India and 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through private Haj Group Operators.
India has 20 Haj embarkation points, with the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi serving as the largest. Approximately 22,000 pilgrims are expected to depart from Delhi, and the Delhi State Haj Committee will provide all necessary local facilities to ensure a smooth journey.
According to Arfi, the first batch of pilgrims will depart for Madinah from the Delhi airport on May 9, with subsequent batches continuing their departures until May 25. Around 16,500 Haj pilgrims, including 3,200 from the national capital, will be part of the first batch.
Arfi expressed his gratitude to the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and its entire team, including officials, for their cooperation and support in successfully organizing the training programme.
During the welcome speech, Mr Inamurrahman Khan, the JIH Assistant Secretary wholeheartedly congratulated and welcomed the pilgrims, instructing them to focus their efforts on making their holy journey acceptable in the sight of Allah. He also prayed for their successful pilgrimage, hoping they achieve the status of “Haj Mabroor” (an accepted pilgrimage).
In his concluding speech, highlighting the significance of Hajj as a pillar of Islam, JIH national secretary Dr. Mohiuddin Ghazi urged the pilgrims to prioritize the core objectives of this sacred journey, which every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime. Emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth, focusing on prayers, rituals, seeking forgiveness, and glorifying Allah, Dr Ghazi advised the pilgrims to avoid irrelevant activities and remain steadfast in the face of any challenges they may encounter during their journey.
Noted scholar Mufti Shameem Qasmi provided detailed guidance on the rituals and the entire process of Haj and Umrah, step by step.
On this occasion, Anwar Khurshid, the coordinator of the programme and a Haj trainer who teaches at the Jamia Millia Islamia School, extensively discussed the logistical aspects of the Haj pilgrimage. This included transportation, accommodation, health services, food and water, paperwork, travel arrangements, Hajj checklists, packing, baggage, and luggage.
Khurshid, who is giving training to Haj pilgrims for the last two years, urged the pilgrims to download the required apps, including the Nusuk app developed by the Saudi Kingdom and the Haj Suvidha app developed by the Indian government. Last month, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani, launched the Haj Suvidha App to make the Haj journey smoother and more comfortable for all Haj pilgrims.
The Haj Suvidha app provides necessary information and direct access to important services such as training modules, flight details, accommodation, emergency helplines, health, travel, luggage, and document-related services.
Nusuk, a free app developed by the Saudi government, assists pilgrims in planning, booking, and experiencing Hajj or Umrah trips to Makkah and Madinah. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the app provides information on travel and access, entrance to Umrah, Miqat, Ihram, access to the Sanctuary, Tawaf, Sa’i, entrance to Ziyarah, and the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The Nusuk interface is convenient and easy to use, and it’s currently available in Arabic and English. Nusuk app helps pilgrims with applying for an eVisa, booking flights and hotels, scheduling visits to important sites, finding transportation, curating itineraries, accessing on-ground tools like the Tawaf tracker, coordinating arrivals and departures, and carrying out sacred rituals at the Two Holy Mosques. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store.
The Ministries of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Ministry of Health, have specified that all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj permit through the Nusuk platform, which is crucial for the legitimacy of their pilgrimage. Additionally, registration through the Sehaty app is required to verify vaccination status.
Key conditions set forth for the 2024 Hajj include mandatory registration in the Sehaty app to confirm necessary vaccinations, international pilgrims are required to have the Neisseria meningitidis vaccine administered at least 10 days but not more than five years prior to their arrival, verified by a certificate from their home country. They must also be vaccinated against polio. General conditions for all pilgrims include a valid passport through at least the end of Dhu Al Hijjah 1445 (June 7, 2024), a minimum age requirement of 12 years, vaccinations against COVID-19, seasonal flu, and meningitis, and a health certification confirming the pilgrim is free from any infectious diseases.
Anwar Khurshid also informed the pilgrims that those who do not perform animal sacrifice through the Haj committee can offer so through Saudi-approved banks, Al Rajhi Bank and Islamic Commercial Bank, by paying 720 Saudi Riyals. Their sacrifices will be carried out by the Saudi government. He also provided guidance on obtaining Saudi SIM cards from STC, Mobily, or Zain and instructed them to carry Android phones, as it is mandatory for every pilgrim to register themselves in the Haj Suvidha and Nusuk apps, which can only be run on Android devices. If a group of four pilgrims is traveling together, he clarified that at least one of them should have an Android phone.
This final area-wise training programme was conducted by the Haj committee before the pilgrims’ departure for the 42-day journey.
The training programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Abdul Mannan.
Ms. Nazia Danish, a member of the Delhi Haj Committee and a counsellor for the South Delhi Municipal Council, extended her congratulations to the Haj pilgrims.
The Delhi Haj Committee officials wished all the Haj pilgrims a safe and successful journey. With this final training session, the Delhi Haj Committee has equipped pilgrims with essential knowledge and resources for their 42-day journey, ensuring a smooth and spiritually enriching experience.
