New Delhi: Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said the government is considering to start the travel process for Hajj 2021 in the next couple of months.
"Haj Committee, other Indian agencies will start Hajj 2021 application process and other preparations by October/November. We are expecting Saudi Arabia government will soon issue necessary guidelines regarding Hajj 2021. Indian agencies are coordinating with Saudi authorities in this regard," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Haj Committee CEO, Maqsood Ahmed Khan, said: "A meeting was held here in Mumbai with the Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Haj Committee of India and other officials on the planning for Hajj 2021."
"We are now waiting for Saudi Arabia government guidelines after which we will have another meeting on October 19 to decide on the policies to send the pilgrims for Hajj next year," added Maqsood Ahmed Khan.
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Ministry spokesperson clarified that the pilgrims who were selected for Hajj 2020 will have to submit their forms again for the next year Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia interior ministry has decided to gradually resume the year-round Umrah pilgrimage from October 4.
According to Saudi Arabia, in the first stage, 6,000 citizens and residents within the kingdom will be allowed to perform the Umrah per days from October 4. Visitors from outside the kingdom will be permitted from November 1 and the pilgrims capacity will be raised to 20,000 per day.
