Over 4000 Women From India are Performing Hajj Without Mahrams In 2023

India, a country with a majority of Hindus, has the largest Muslim minority in the world with approximately 200 million believers.

175,000 of them are heading to Saudi Arabia as part of the 2023 Hajj quota to perform the religious pilgrimage, which is one of Islam's five pillars. From the last week of May through June 22, special flights have been available for Indian pilgrims.

As Saudi Arabia has lifted the ban requiring female pilgrims to be accompanied by a mahram, or male guardian, a new Hajj policy that permits women to apply separately and go to Makkah and Madinah on their own challenges the preparations for this year.

Following an update to its Hajj policy in February, India saw a large increase in the number of pilgrims registering under the Ladies Without Mahram category this year.

The embassy said, “The specialty of this year’s Hajj is female Hajis without a mahram. Around 4,000 female pilgrims are using this opportunity.” 

Separate facilities, bus stops, and attendants have been set aside to "facilitate their seamless transportation and accommodation" throughout their pilgrimage. Over 25% of the Indian contingent are senior citizens, accordingly additional special preparations have been made for them.

“This year more than 47,000 pilgrims are of age 60 and above. The Haj Mission has made special arrangements for them with enhanced medical care, wheelchair facilities, and the use of volunteers to help them,” the embassy further added.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh told Arab News that “The Indian Hajj Mission works round the clock to deliver the best services for pilgrims.”