- Pakistan introduces a short Hajj program of 20 to 25 days.
- Pilgrims should choose accommodation in Medina for 4 to 8 days.
- Saudi minister assures better facilities to Pakistani pilgrims.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed an annual agreement for Hajj 2025, under which as many as 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year and will be offered special accommodation in Mina at discounted rates.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah signed the Hajj 2025 agreement between the two countries in Jeddah. Pakistan received one of the highest quotas for Hajj from Saudi Arabia.
Under the agreement, best facilities would be provided to Pakistani pilgrims, including special accommodation at Mina during the holy pilgrimage, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Saudi minister assured to provide all possible support for better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims.
Furthermore, the ministry said that a short Hajj program of 20 to 25 days has been introduced to make the journey more accessible, easier and more comfortable, which would allow pilgrims to choose their accommodation in Medina for four to eight days.
He added that a specially designed bag containing the Pakistani flag, QR code for identification and relevant information would be given to each pilgrim.
Additionally, pilgrims would get all the information through a special mobile application to stay informed about their Hajj groups, flight details, training schedules, live maps, venue locations and accommodation in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistani women reportedly need the consent of their husbands or parents to register for the annual Hajj, although they are allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage without a male guardian (mahram) by the Council of Ideology Islamic (CII), according to the Hajj policy of Pakistan. 2025.
Regarding children, he said minors under the age of 12 would not be allowed to participate in the pilgrimage in accordance with instructions issued by the Saudi government.
The Hajj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, involves a series of rituals in and around Mecca in western Saudi Arabia that lasts several days.
One of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims who can afford it.
The Hajj, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, is performed by millions of Muslims around the world every year. Pakistan receives one of the highest Hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia.