Why Saudi Slash 80% Private Hajj Quota For India
As per a recent report, Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut off India’s private Hajj quota by 80% has created significant disruptions for pilgrims and tour operators. The sudden decision from the Riyadh government has caused panic among the pilgrims who are preparing to perform the Hajj this year. The situation of more than 52,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims are hanging on uncertainty. Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has cancelled the zones in Mina it had allotted to private tour operators (PTOs), stated Combined Haj Group Organisers (CHGOs). PTOs said that this move could mean the cancellation of Hajj for those depended on it this year.
Mina is the tent city near Mecca. Pilgrims stay here for 4 days as part of Hajj rituals. Saudi authorities have cancelled zones 1 and 2, and the processing of the payment for zones 3, 4 and 5 has been stopped. These zones were earlier allotted to 26 CHGOs from India, which were scheduled to take over 52,000 pilgrims. The cancellation means, their plans are dumped in uncertainty as they have already booked the pilgrims as per zones allotted.
The decision, which was announced on April 13, is believed to have greater impacts on not only India, but also on Saudi Arabia as well, while looking at the broader picture. It has raised considerable concerns regarding the global pilgrimage infrastructure and is expected to affect travel plans for many in the coming months.
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Speaking to Timeline, Mohammed Haleem, General Secretary Delhi KMCC, said that it is going to gravely impact thousands of people. “People who could not confirm their journey under government quota, and the ones who approached private quota fearing the lack of proper facilities under government quota might be effected. Thousands are going to be thwarted by this move. Inefficiency from Indian government’s part is believed to be the reason behind this. Lack of keeping up with the Saudi government from India’s part is what led to this cut,” he said.
He further said that this will affect the pilgrims greatly, “90 percent of money spent on purchasing the tickets, for agreements with co-ordinators in Saudi Arabia, and for purchasing the buildings in Mecca, and Madinah for the stay, will not be returned immediately. And so, it will be difficult for the private groups to give the money back to the people easily. This is going to create issues for the pilgrims and those in such business. This is going to be a huge crisis”.
The entire Mina is divided into five zones. They are decided as per the distance from symbolising pillars (jamra) at the valley of Mina. Without the activation of the zones, no further proceedings for the Hajj, which is to begin from 1st week of June.
Out of India’s Haj quota of 1.75 lakh pilgrims, 52,500 are scheduled to go through CHGOs while the rest will use the services provided by the Haj Committee of India.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Issues Guidelines For Accompanying Children During Umrah
CHGO have requested Indian government to discuss with Indian government and retrieve the cancelled quotas, and has requested Minister of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure immediate intervention. The organisation has also asked Indian government to hold talk with the Saudi government on the issue. It requested the pilgrims not to panic and wait for further instructions, and ensured that they will notify the pilgrims on further development in the issue.
A senior official in the ministry of Minority Affairs said the Saudis cancelled zones 1 and 2 because of delayed payment to the authorities, media report states. At the same time, CHGOs claimed that payments got delayed because the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) linked to Nusuk (official Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah platform and app designed to facilitate the Hajj and Umrah journey for pilgrims) was not active. While the platform’s payment was not active, CHGOs were directed to pay through the Hajj Committee of India which would send the money to the Consul General of India in Jeddah, and they would send that money to the CHGOs’ wallets.
Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief urged the MEA to ‘immediately’ intervene. Taking to X, she said, “Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Hajj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country…Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution.”
Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country.
Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately…— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 13, 2025
Speaking to ANI, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said, “I appeal to the Prime Minister to speak with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and urge them to not reduce our quota (of Hajj pilgrims). There is also the question of jobs here. I will ask Omar (J&K CM) to write to the PM on this.”
