Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in news?
A major milestone for Haj pilgrims: A new Haj house coming up in Navi Mumbai.
Haj – A sacred pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a spiritual, emotional, and physical test of devotion to God.
It is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime.
5 Pillars of Islam -
Shahada (profession of faith),
Salah (prayer five times a day),
Zakat (almsgiving),
Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and
Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
The pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet Muhammad.
Key aspects, 2025
Timing –Hajj was taking place between 4th to 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 (12th month in the Islamic Calendar).
Duration -Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts approximately 5-6 days depending on the sighting of the moon.
Eligibility – It is obligatory for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.
Logistics – The Ministry of Minority Affairshelps facilitate the pilgrimage for Indian citizens, including those who are low-income.
Initiatives for Hassle-Free Haj Travel
Haj Committee of India – It is the statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
It is known as Central Haj Committee (CHC) established under the Haj Committee Act 2002, for making all arrangements for the pilgrimage of Muslims for Haj.
Abolition of haj subsidy –The Haj subsidy aimed to offset travel costs for pilgrims from India to Saudi Arabia,however, the subsidy was gradually reduced and completely abolished for Haj 2018.
Digitization of haj process –In previous years, Haj management processes relied heavily on manual and offline methods, resulting in a cumbersome and opaque system involving multiple agencies.
