Haj 2025 for Indian pilgrims was best ever conducted: Rijiju

New Delhi, Jul 4 (PTI) The organisation of Haj 2025 for Indian pilgrims was the best ever that has been conducted, Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Friday and highlighted that fatality rate for Indians during the pilgrimage went down drastically with 64 deaths this year as compared to more than 200 in 2024.

After a Haj review meeting, Rijiju said the Haj application for 2026 will be initiated within a month.

He also said that it is the desire of every Muslim to perform Haj once in life and to fulfill this, the Narendra Modi government is working with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

"So, I would like to request all the applicants to fill up the forms and apply within the time frame. We have to follow the timelines set by the government of Saudi Arabia. We have to follow all the stringent conditions and stipulations," he said.

"So the success of 2025 Haj is because of the concerted efforts of officials of Minstry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs. The organisation of Haj 2025 for Indian pilgrims was the best ever that has been conducted," he said.

Rijiju said the fatality rate has gone down and was only 64 compared with more than 200 last year and in the previous year.

"We will improve further. We have made certain provisions for that," he said.

He requested the Haj group operators to ensure that they honour the timeline and inform the Haj applicants to follow the time lines strictly.

"Otherwise they may have to face difficulties if they are late," Rijiju added.

He said that the Haj Committee of India has also been told that the money that has to be deposited with the Saudi Arabian government should be deposited within the stipulated time limit.

He said that all the processes for going on Haj will be digital and the pilgrims will also be provided with food options so that people can eat food of their choice.

"Every Muslim wishes to go to Haj at least once in his life. To fulfil that wish, the Narendra Modi government is working on the motto of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'. We are ready to provide full service to the pilgrims going from India," he said.

The meeting reviewed the smooth conduct of Haj 2025 and initiated early preparations for Haj 2026.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Minorities George Kurian; Secretary, MoMA Chandra Shekhar Kumar; Secretary (CPV & OIA), MEA Arun K. Chatterjee; Addl. Secretary (Gulf), MEA Aseem R Mahajan; Indian Ambassador toSaudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan; Consulate General, Jeddah, Fahad Ahmad Khan, among others.

Deliberations focused on improving inter-ministerial coordination, enhancing logistics and pilgrim support, learning from Haj 2025 to innovate for Haj 2026 and strengthening digital, health and on-ground infrastructure for Indian Haj pilgrims. PTI ASK ZMN