After two years, pilgrims around the world would perform Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. Due to the pandemic Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia had barred pilgrims from outside visiting the country as travel restrictions were in place globally. It was last month that the Saudi government announced that it would allow one million aspirants from both inside and outside the kingdom to perform Hajj which will take place in July this year. In 2021 60000 pilgrims were allowed while in 2020 only 1000 pilgrims performed annual ritual. The lucky batch of Indonesians reached Madinah on Saturday and were the first to be received after which they will be travelling to Makkah. Apart from Indonesians, the first batches will start arriving from Malaysia and India. Pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir too departed for Hajj on Sunday as lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha oversaw all the arrangements for their successful and smooth holy journey. Around 6000 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Out of total 6000 pilgrims, 5856 pilgrims will leave from Kashmir valley and others from Delhi Airport. Keeping in view the safety and convenience of the pilgrims, a facility of RT-PCR Covid-19 test at JVC Hospital Bemina and e-rickshaw and other facilities at Hajj House have been made available to pilgrims. Already, the administration has given clear directions that the Hajj pilgrimage is an important and a priority for the government and asked the Hajj Committee of J&K to ensure that adequate facilities are made available to the pilgrims, selected for this year, during their departure to Saudi Arabia. The Chief Executive Officer of Hajj Committee has been asked to install signage, hoarding of Dos and Don'ts well in advance besides ensuring proper cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in and around the Hajj House Complex including the residential areas. The officers should ensure that there is close coordination with line departments and the Hajj Committee should keep an adequate number of volunteers available in all areas like reception, check-in point, vaccination, foreign exchange, bus boarding places and help desk areas.

Every pilgrim must get all Hajj-related information through SMS including helpline numbers of the Centres established by UT J&K Government, Hajj Committee of India at Jeddah besides making wide publicity of the flight schedules. Also, the health department must keep a team of dedicated staff from at the Hajj House for the assistance of pilgrims during the departure period.