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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Congress leadership asks Deputy CM Shivakumar to continue, say sources
Bengaluru (PTI): The power tussle and squabbling in the ruling Congress in Karnataka has subsided for the time being as the party high command told the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to continue as the party state unit chief, Congress sources said on Sunday.
Shivakumar along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on a two-day visit to New Delhi on last Thursday and Friday where they had a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The meeting assumes significance as a campaign has begun to replace Shivakumar as the party state president.
Several MLAs and Ministers believed to be from Siddaramaiah camp want Shivakumar to discontinue as the Congress state chief.
They have been demanding the strict adherence of the party policy of 'one person, one post'.
Since Shivakumar is the state Deputy Chief Minister and Congress president, his rivals in the party have been demanding his removal.
The argument is also that a person holding a ministerial position cannot do justice to the state president's post as he cannot give time to the party cadres willing to meet him.
Party high command is not keen on replacing Shivakumar considering his immense contribution to the party especially in winning the assembly elections, good performance of parry during Lok Sabha elections and in winning all three assembly bypolls, the sources said.
"The party high command was not inclined to replace Shivakumar at least till November and December this year," a senior party functionary told PTI.
There are reports about a secret pact that Siddaramaiah would helm the first half of the Congress' five-year tenure in Karnataka, who will be replaced by Shivakumar.
Neither Siddaramaiah, nor Shivakumar have confirmed this but their supporter ministers and MLAs in the party have started lobbying for their leaders.
There were also discussions on Cabinet reshuffle, MLC elections and honey trap attempts on ministers and MLAs, the sources said.
According to them, cabinet reshuffle is not on the cards as of now.
Another party office-bearer said the Congress high command has left the selection of candidates for the MLC election to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Regarding the honey trap issue, Congress top sources said Rahul Gandhi was upset with the way it was raised.
"Gandhi was of the opinion that it shouldn't have been discussed inside the assembly, especially by Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna," a source said.
Rajanna had raised the issue inside the Karnataka Assembly. He even claimed that at least 48 MLAs have been honey-trapped.
The Minister got backing from state Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi who too stated that honey trap attempts were made on some ministers and MLAs.
About a fortnight ago, Rajanna had been to New Delhi to apprise the party high command how honeytrap attempts were made.
