Saudi Arabia taking measures to ensure more fulfilling journey for Indian Hajj, Umrah pilgrims
New Delhi(PTI): Saudi Arabia has rolled out a series of "transformative" measures like improving visa processing, accessibility and logistical support to ensure a more enriching experience for Indian pilgrims undertaking the journey to Makkah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said on Wednesday.
In an interview to PTI, Al-Rabiah said the initiatives are specifically designed to provide Indian pilgrims with enhanced flexibility throughout their journey, particularly benefiting women embarking on independent Umrah trips.
The new steps like extension of the Umrah visa to 90 days and introduction of a four-day transit visa are tailored to accommodate the growing influx of Indian pilgrims.
"By promoting gender equality and cultivating a safer, more embracing environment, these changes collectively aim to ensure a more fulfilling and secure pilgrimage experience for all travellers," he said.
Al-Rabiah, currently on a visit to India, held talks with Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday. The influential minister said the aim of the new initiatives was to ensure "warmth and convenience" to the overall experience of the pilgrims.
"My first official visit to India as Minister of Hajj and Umrah is important in our ongoing efforts to showcase Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to serving Umrah performers and visitors," he said.
Millions of Muslims from across the world travel to Makkah every year to perform Haj as well as Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage.
Highlighting steps to enrich the experience of the pilgrims, Al-Rabiah said the Saudi government allows Umrah participation for all individuals travelling to the country on various visa types, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the pilgrims experience programme, a fundamental component of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.
The minister anticipated a rise in the number of Indian Umrah pilgrims in the near future in view of the impactful initiatives introduced to enhance experiences of the pilgrims.
"These initiatives are designed to create a seamless and inviting environment for all individuals embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Two Holy Mosques and exploring the rich historical and cultural heritage of Islamic sites and diverse tourist attractions within the Kingdom," he said.
"Saudi Arabia's proactive measures encompass improvements in visa processing, airport facilities, and transportation networks tailored to accommodate the growing influx of Indian pilgrims.
"These efforts aim to establish a more inclusive and accessible environment for travellers from India, providing warmth and convenience as they embark on their spiritual journey," he added.
Al-Rabiah said Saudi Arabia's commitment to welcoming Indian Umrah pilgrims is underscored by the ongoing enhancement of arrival procedures and the provision of comprehensive logistical support.
"These measures are expected to lead to a notable increase in visits by Indian pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, promising a deeply meaningful and enriching experience for all who undertake this transcendent pilgrimage," he said.
"The recent revisions to Umrah visa regulations for Indian Muslims mark a significant shift, notably eliminating restrictions based on their previous visa status and introducing a user-friendly e-visa system," the minister said.
He said the "transformative" changes have streamlined the visa application process, leading to accelerated approvals, and fostering an environment of inclusivity and heightened security.
"A noteworthy addition to a long lineup of services is the extension of the Umrah visa to 90 days and the introduction of a four-day transit visa," he said.
The minister said the inauguration of the "Tasheer" centre marked a significant milestone in providing expedited and user-friendly visa services for Indian Umrah pilgrims.
He said this initiative underscores a firm dedication to elevating service standards and harnessing technology to cater to pilgrims efficiently. Al-Rabiah noted that the allocation of an estimated quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims to India for the Hajj season in 2024 serves as the foundation for advanced preparations and early planning.
The minister also talked about the upswing in India-Saudi Arabia relations.
"Built on mutual respect and understanding, this partnership is reinforced by shared objectives of sustainable growth and alternative security mechanisms as emerging global economies," he said.
"The presence of over two million Indians in Saudi Arabia underscores the deep bilateral relations between the two countries and has significantly contributed to the growth and progress of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across various spheres," he said
Al-Rabiah said the contributions of Indians is evident in diverse areas, including economy, social engagement, cultural enrichment, and academia, and that they are "leaving a lasting imprint" on Saudi Arabia's developmental path.
"The Indian community has played a pivotal role in diversifying and strengthening the Kingdom's business landscape, bringing forth their entrepreneurial acumen and industry expertise, expanding trade and investment, and fostering robust economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia," he said.
"Additionally, their healthcare, technology, and construction contributions have notably bolstered the country's workforce and expertise," he added.
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Deep societal faultlines persist despite 75 years of independence: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
Judge cites denial of home to Muslim girl, opposition to Dalit women cooking mid-day meals
Hyderabad, February 23, 2026: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has said that despite repeated affirmations of constitutional morality by courts, deep societal faultlines rooted in caste and religious discrimination continue to shape everyday realities in India.
Speaking at a seminar on “Constitutional Morality and the Role of District Judiciary” organised by the Telangana Judges Association and the Telangana State Judicial Academy in Hyderabad, Justice Bhuyan reflected on the gap between constitutional ideals and social practices.
He cited a recent instance involving his daughter’s friend, a PhD scholar at a private university in Noida, who was denied accommodation in South Delhi after her surname revealed her Muslim identity. According to Justice Bhuyan, the landlady bluntly informed her that no accommodation was available once her religious background became known.
In another example from Odisha, he referred to resistance by some parents to the government’s mid-day meal programme because the food was prepared by Dalit women employed as cooks. He noted that some parents had objected aggressively and refused to allow their children to consume meals cooked by members of the Scheduled Caste community.
Describing these incidents as “the tip of the iceberg,” Justice Bhuyan said they reveal how far society remains from the benchmark of constitutional morality even 75 years into the Republic. He observed that while the Constitution lays down standards of equality and dignity, the morality practised within homes and communities often diverges sharply from those values.
He emphasised that constitutional morality requires governance through the rule of law rather than the rule of popular opinion. Referring to the evolution of the doctrine through judicial decisions, he cited Naz Foundation v Union of India, in which the Delhi High Court read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, holding that popular morality cannot restrict fundamental rights under Article 21. Though the judgment was later overturned in Suresh Kumar Koushal v Naz Foundation, the Supreme Court ultimately restored and expanded the principle in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India, affirming that constitutional morality must prevail over majoritarian views.
“In our constitutional scheme, it is the constitutionality of the issue before the court that is relevant, not the dominant or popular view,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also addressed the functioning of the district judiciary, underlining that trial courts are the first point of contact for most litigants and form the foundation of the justice delivery system. He stressed that due importance must be given to the recording of evidence and adjudication of bail matters.
Highlighting the role of High Courts, he said their supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution is intended as a shield to correct grave jurisdictional errors, not as a mechanism to substitute the discretion or factual appreciation of trial judges.
He recalled that several distinguished judges, including Justice H R Khanna, Justice A M Ahmadi, and Justice Fathima Beevi, began their careers in the district judiciary.
On representation within the judicial system, Justice Bhuyan noted that Telangana has made significant strides in gender inclusion. Out of a sanctioned strength of 655 judicial officers in the Telangana Judicial Service, 478 are currently serving, of whom 283 are women, exceeding 50 per cent representation. He added that members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minority communities, and persons with disabilities are also represented in the state’s judiciary.
He observed that greater representation of women, marginalised communities, persons with disabilities, and sexual minorities would help make the judiciary more inclusive and reflective of India’s diversity. “The judiciary must represent all the colours of the rainbow and become a rainbow institution,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also referred to the recent restoration by the Supreme Court of the requirement of a minimum three years of practice at the Bar for entry-level judicial posts. While acknowledging that the requirement ensures practical exposure, he cautioned that its impact on women aspirants, especially those from rural or small-town backgrounds facing social and financial constraints, would need to be carefully observed over time.
Concluding his address, he reiterated that the justice system must strive to bridge the gap between constitutional ideals and lived realities, ensuring that the rule of law remains paramount.
