Saudi Arabia, India sign 2025 Hajj agreement in Jeddah
Jeddah: Saudi Arabia and India have signed the 2025 Hajj agreement in Jeddah, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and religious cooperation.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah, and India’s Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. Key figures present at the ceremony included the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, and the Consul General of India in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri.
As part of the agreement, Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India for the 2025 Hajj season. The Hajj Committee of India will manage 70% of the slots, while 30% (approximately 52,507 slots) will be distributed through private Hajj Group Organizers, in accordance with India’s Hajj Policy 2025.
The agreement focuses on enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience for Indian Hajjis by improving services, expanding facilities, and streamlining logistical arrangements.
Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed India’s commitment to providing a better experience for the pilgrims. “Our government is dedicated to ensuring an improved and hassle-free pilgrimage experience for all our Hajjis,” he said, thanking Saudi authorities for their cooperation.
During the visit, Minister Rijiju met Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, to discuss interfaith dialogue and global peace initiatives. He also visited the Jeddah Hajj Terminal to review the preparations for Hajj 2025, highlighting the importance of ensuring smooth arrangements for the pilgrims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the agreement, calling it “wonderful news” for Indian Hajjis. In a post on X, he reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for devotees.
(Inputs from Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, Riyadh)
Picture showing that Kiren Rijiju met Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary General of World Muslim League.
Indian Minister for Parliamentary & Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju & Dr. Tawfiq F. Al-Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj & Umrah.
Kiren Rijiju visited at Jeddah Hajj Terminal
Kiren Rijiju is taking a round in a golf cart in the Jeddah Hajj Terminal.
This is picture showing a formal ceremony where a memento is being presented to Minister Kiren Rijiju by HE. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa.
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Sunetra Pawar to take oath as Maharashtra's Deputy CM at 5 pm on Saturday
Mumbai (PTI): NCP's Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar will be sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, replacing her deceased husband and party chief Ajit Pawar, at the Lok Bhavan here at 5 pm on Saturday.
Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) gave this information.
Governor Acharya Devvrat, who is currently in Mussoorie, will arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm, it said.
NCP's legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place in the city at 2 pm, where Sunetra Pawar is set to be named as its leader. After that she will take oath as the first woman deputy CM of the state.
She held talks with party leaders after arriving here from Baramati early morning on Saturday.
Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others on January 28.
