As per an official report, the Government of India accords high priority for Indian Muslims to undertake the annual Haj pilgrimage.

As a result of its efforts, the country allocation for India which was 136,020 in 2014 has gradually increased to 175,025 in 2025. These quotas are finalized by the Saudi authorities closer to the time of the pilgrimage.

Hajj takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. In 2025, Hajj is scheduled to begin on the evening of Friday, June 6, 2025, and conclude on the evening of Wednesday, June 11, 2025. However, the exact dates may vary depending on moon sightings.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, children will no longer be allowed at the Haj in 2025. The Hajj visa age limit is 12 years. Pilgrims under this age cannot participate in Hajj 2025.

Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel by land, sea and air to Makkah, Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Approximately 2-3 million people attend the Haj every year.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) through the Haj Committee of India manages arrangements for the bulk of the quota allotted to India, which is 122,518 in the current year.

All the necessary arrangements including flight schedules, transportation, Mina camps, accommodation, and additional services have been taken up and completed as per the Saudi requirements, within the given timelines.

The balance of the quota was allotted, as is customary, to Private Tour Operators. Due to changes in Saudi guidelines, more than 800 Private Tour Operators were consolidated into 26 legal entities termed Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) by MoMA this year.

Addressing legal challenges, the Haj quota was allocated by MoMA to these 26 CHGOs well in advance. However, despite reminders, they failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities and failed to finalize the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation and transport of pilgrims, as required under the Saudi regulations.

Government of India has been continuously engaging on this matter with the concerned Saudi authorities, including at the Ministerial level.

The Saudi Haj Ministry highlighted its concerns for the safety of the pilgrims, particularly in Mina, where Haj rituals have to be completed under extreme summer heat conditions in a limited space.

It also underlined that due to delays, the available space in Mina became occupied. The Saudi authorities have further conveyed that they were not extending the timelines for any country this year.

Due to the Government’s intervention, the Saudi Haj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims based on the current space availability in Mina.

Directions have been issued by MoMA to CHGOs to do so urgently. India would naturally appreciate any gesture by Saudi authorities to accommodate more pilgrims.

Haj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to and perform Hajj in Makkah, modern day Saudi Arabia.

This year, Haj is is expected to take place between 4th June to the 9th June 2025 in the Gregorian Calendar, depending on the sighting of the moon.

It takes place during the same time each year, in the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah– the twelfth month in the Islamic Calendar. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts approximately five to six days depending on the sighting of the moon. When the new crescent moon is sighted, Muslims around the world welcome in the four-day festival of Eid al-Adha.

While Haj is required of every Muslim, it is only required so long as they have the capacity. There are conditions which make Muslims eligible to perform Hajj and exempt from performing Hajj.

The sacred pilgrimage of Haj is comprised of a series of rites and rituals – some in order – that provide a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge for the pilgrim. For example, a pilgrim can expect to walk between 5km-15km per day, as Hajj requires some travel between several locations in and around the vicinity of Makkah. Much of the pilgrimage takes place at the Masjid al-Haram, where the Kaaba is located.

Haj is a spiritual duty and a pillar of Islam, and for many, it is a once in a lifetime event. Going more than once during your lifetime is permitted whilst sincerely seeking Allah’s (SWT) (which means ‘The Most Glorified, The Most High) pleasure.

Haj is one of the five Pillars of Islam, which form the basic foundations of a Muslim’s beliefs. Every Muslim is expected to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lives if they have physical and financial capacity.

Muslims who perform the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj are required to undergo a series of rites and rituals which each offer as per their own unique purpose and wisdom.

Here are the 18 steps of Hajj at a glance:

1.      Preparation and Intention

2.      Enter state of Ihram

3.      Tawaf x7

4.      Safa and Marwa

5.      Clip/Shave Hair (Umrah ends)

6.      Resting and Praying

7.      Enter state of Ihram

8.      Arrive at Mina

9.      Day of ‘Arafah

10.    Muzdalifah (under the night sky)

11.    Rami (stoning of the devil)

12.    Qurbani

13.    Shave Head

14.    Tawaf al-Ifadha

15.    Rami (stoning of the devil)

16.    Spend night at Mina

17.    Rami (stoning of the devil)

18.    Farewell Tawaf al-Wida

Hajj is one of the fifth pillars of Islam, meaning it is obliged of every Muslim:

1. Profession of Faith (Shahada). The belief and declaration that “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the final Prophet sent by Allah.”
2. Prayer (Salah)
3. Alms (Zakat)
4. Fasting (Sawm)
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Unlike prayer, Alms and Fasting, Haj is required of every Muslim only once during their lifetime, so long as they are physically, emotionally, and financially eligible. However, Muslims are permitted to go more than once if they have the means.

Each year, millions of Muslims from all across the world travel by land, sea and air to Makkah, Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Approximately 2-3 million people attend Hajj each year.