Today is the Day of Arafat, the holiest and most significant day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as more than 1.5 million Muslims from around the world make their way from Mina to the plains of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia to seek forgiveness and mercy from God.
Pilgrims began arriving in Mina on Monday ahead of the key Day of Arafat rituals, with the faithful gathering on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah in one of the largest religious congregations in the world.
As the pilgrimage reaches its spiritual peak, Indian authorities in Saudi Arabia say extensive arrangements have been put in place for more than 175,000 Indian pilgrims performing Hajj this year. India’s Consul General in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, said the Indian Hajj Mission in Makkah is coordinating accommodation, transport, baggage handling and medical services for pilgrims in cooperation with Saudi authorities.He said, “The Indian Hajj Mission here in Mecca coordinates all Hajj operations, including accommodation for pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, transport arrangements, baggage handling and the setting up of the entire medical infrastructure to take care of the pilgrims.”
Suri added that the mission is working closely with Saudi Arabia’s ministries of Hajj and Umrah, foreign affairs, interior and health, along with service provider companies managing facilities for pilgrims.
India’s Hajj quota remains unchanged from last year at 1,75,025 pilgrims. Of these, 1,22,518 pilgrims are travelling through the Hajj Committee of India, while 52,507 are undertaking the pilgrimage through private tour operators.
