India, Saudi sign Haj agreement, this year pilgrim quota 1.75 lakh
- India and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a bilateral agreement under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for this year’s annual Haj pilgrimage.
- The Government’s initiative for encouraging participation under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category was also discussed and lauded, it added
Haj Subsidy
- It refers to discounted airfares given by government-owned airlines.
- It also includes assistance to Muslim pilgrims for domestic travel to reach specially designed Haj departure airport terminals, lodging, medical care and meals.
- The Haj subsidy was first introduced in 1932 when the British government provided for a government-funded Haj committee and named Bombay and Calcutta as two ports from where Muslims could embark upon their pilgrimage.
The Haj pilgrimage
- The Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
- It is considered to be a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims physically and financially capable of doing so.
Prelims Takeaway
- Mecca
- Haj pilgrimage