Latest news with #Haj2025
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Union Government to start accepting Haj applications for 2026 from next week
Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Friday (July 4, 2025) said that the government will start accepting applications for Haj-2026, within a week. Terming the management of Haj 2025 as historic, Mr. Rijiju said that 'it was one of the most successful ever'. Highlighting that the fatality rate has gone down to 64 this year from 220 in 2024, the Minister also gave credit of Haj's success to the External Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry and the Health Ministry. Speaking to the press after participating in the Haj review meeting, held at Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi on Friday (July 04, 2025), Mr. Rijiju added that the government was planning to build on this success to ensure an even more seamless experience in 2026. He requested all the applicants to fill up the form and apply within the allocated time frame. He also directed the Haj Committee of India to deposit the payment to the Saudi Arabian government before the deadline. Officials from the Ministry informed that a companion was mandatory to look after pilgrims above 65 years of age who wish to take the Haj. They added that the government was considering the request for separate accommodations for men and women.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Will start accepting Haj applications for 2026 within a week": Union Minister Rijiju
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday announced that the Union Government will begin accepting applications for the Haj pilgrimage in 2026 within a week, urging pilgrims to ensure timely submissions of documents to avoid future complications ahead of the pilgrimage. Speaking to reporters, Rijiju outlined the preparations and new measures to facilitate a smooth pilgrimage process, emphasising digitalisation and adherence to deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian government. 'Within a week, we will start accepting Haj applications for 2026... I request people to fill out their applications on time so they do not face any problems in the future. The Saudi Arabian government has set many strict deadlines,' Rijiju stated. He directed tour operators to strictly adhere to the timelines and instructed the Haj Committee of India to deposit payments to the Saudi government before the deadline, ensuring compliance with international requirements. Rijiju also addressed several logistical and policy considerations for the upcoming Haj, noting separate accommodations for men and women during the pilgrimage and that a companion was mandatory for pilgrims above the age of 65 years. 'I strictly instruct the tour operators to adhere to the set timelines. I have directed the Haj Committee of India to deposit the payment to the Saudi Arabian government before the deadline... I have been given suggestions regarding the accommodations. We are considering the request for separate accommodations for men and women... A companion is mandatory to look after pilgrims above 65 years of age. We will also offer an option for a short Haj,' he added. He also stated that the entire process will be digital and that food choices will also be tailored to regional preferences. 'The entire process will be digital... We will provide food choices state-wise so that pilgrims can eat food to their taste,' the Union Minister added. Earlier today, during the Haj review meeting, Rijiju said, 'Haj 2025 was one of the most successful ever.' 'We will build on this success to ensure an even more seamless experience in 2026,' he affirmed. In a post on X, the Ministry of Minority Affairs stated that the meeting reviewed the smooth conduct of Haj 2025 and initiated early preparations for Haj 2026. 'A record low number of deaths during this Haj was noted as a major achievement,' the post added. Deliberations focused on improving inter-ministerial coordination, enhancing logistics and pilgrim support, learning from Haj 2025 to innovate for Haj 2026 and strengthening digital, health and on-ground infrastructure for Indian Haj pilgrims for the next year. (ANI)
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Engaging with States to ensure effective implementation of UMEED portal for Waqf properties: Minority Affairs Ministry
The Minority Affairs Ministry on Sunday (June 22, 2025) said it has been actively engaging with States and Union Territories to ensure effective implementation of the UMEED portal, stressing that details of all registered Waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded on this platform within six months. In line with this effort, the Ministry said, Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar visited Mumbai on June 21 to hold a comprehensive review meeting with the State Secretary, senior officials and Maharashtra State Waqf Board CEO. This marks his second such visit following a similar review in Bihar last week, it said. During the meeting, Mr. Kumar apprised the officials of the rules to be rolled out shortly to support the statutory requirements of the portal, the statement said. He encouraged proactive participation and invited suggestions from state authorities to streamline the implementation process, it said. The CEO of the Waqf Board requested the Centre to revisit and ease certain leasing provisions related to Waqf properties. Mr. Kumar assured that the request will be examined sympathetically, reaffirming the Centre's commitment to empowering Waqf Boards and enhancing Waqf property management, the statement said. Apart from reviewing UMEED implementation, the Secretary also assessed the status of projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) in Maharashtra. He directed the State officials to submit all pending proposals to the Ministry within one week for necessary action. Mr. Kumar also held a meeting with officials of the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) in Mumbai, congratulating them on the smooth and successful conduct of Haj 2025. He noted with satisfaction that this year recorded the lowest number of deaths and health-related incidents among Indian Haj pilgrims. Mr. Kumar attributed this achievement to improved coordination between the Ministry, Haj Committee of India, deputationists, Saudi authorities and local support systems. The Secretary especially acknowledged the effectiveness of the Haj Suvidha App, which played a crucial role in enhancing pilgrim experience and easing on-ground challenges. He affirmed that insights from this year's Haj operations will be used to further improve arrangements for Haj 2026. The Ministry of Minority Affairs remains committed to ensuring efficient administration of Waqf properties and a dignified pilgrimage experience for all Hajis through digital empowerment and responsive governance, the statement said. Following the launch of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 (UMEED) Central Portal on June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has been actively engaging with states and union territories to ensure the effective implementation of this statutory platform, it said. As per the mandate of the UMEED portal, details of all registered Waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded within six months. The government launched the portal on June 6 to create a digital inventory after geo-tagging all Waqf properties, with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calling it a historic step that would ensure that community-owned Waqf assets are utilised effectively and fairly for poor Muslims. The UMEED portal will serve as a centralised digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Engaging with states to ensure effective implementation of UMEED portal for Waqf properties: Govt
New Delhi, The Minority Affairs Ministry on Sunday said it has been actively engaging with states and union territories to ensure effective implementation of the UMEED portal, stressing that details of all registered Waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded on this platform within six months. Engaging with states to ensure effective implementation of UMEED portal for Waqf properties: Govt In line with this effort, the ministry said, Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar visited Mumbai on June 21 to hold a comprehensive review meeting with the state secretary, senior officials and Maharashtra State Waqf Board CEO. This marks his second such visit following a similar review in Bihar last week, it said. During the meeting, Kumar apprised the officials of the rules to be rolled out shortly to support the statutory requirements of the portal, the statement said. He encouraged proactive participation and invited suggestions from state authorities to streamline the implementation process, it said. The CEO of the Waqf Board requested the Centre to revisit and ease certain leasing provisions related to Waqf properties. Kumar assured that the request will be examined sympathetically, reaffirming the Centre's commitment to empowering Waqf Boards and enhancing Waqf property management, the statement said. Apart from reviewing UMEED implementation, the Secretary also assessed the status of projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram in Maharashtra. He directed the state officials to submit all pending proposals to the ministry within one week for necessary action. Kumar also held a meeting with officials of the Haj Committee of India in Mumbai, congratulating them on the smooth and successful conduct of Haj 2025. He noted with satisfaction that this year recorded the lowest number of deaths and health-related incidents among Indian Haj pilgrims. Kumar attributed this achievement to improved coordination between the Ministry, Haj Committee of India, deputationists, Saudi authorities and local support systems. The secretary especially acknowledged the effectiveness of the Haj Suvidha App, which played a crucial role in enhancing pilgrim experience and easing on-ground challenges. He affirmed that insights from this year's Haj operations will be used to further improve arrangements for Haj 2026. The Ministry of Minority Affairs remains committed to ensuring efficient administration of waqf properties and a dignified pilgrimage experience for all Hajis through digital empowerment and responsive governance, the statement said. Following the launch of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 Central Portal on June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has been actively engaging with states and union territories to ensure the effective implementation of this statutory platform, it said. As per the mandate of the UMEED portal, details of all registered Waqf properties across India are to be mandatorily uploaded within six months. The government launched the portal on June 6 to create a digital inventory after geo-tagging all Waqf properties, with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calling it a historic step that would ensure that community-owned Waqf assets are utilised effectively and fairly for poor Muslims. The UMEED portal will serve as a centralised digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Haj concludes without incidents, says Saudi ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: Haj 2025 (1446H) has concluded without any reported incidents, marking one of the safest and most efficiently managed pilgrimages in recent years, said Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif said this year's successful operation was due to early planning, precise execution, constant monitoring, and the keen awareness of pilgrims. "This achievement was made possible through exceptional security efforts and the use of cutting-edge technologies," he said in a statement issued following the successful completion of haj rituals, free of incidents or overcrowding. According to the ministry, the season was marked by meticulous organisation, advanced healthcare services, smooth mobility, and a secure environment — with Saudis on social media referring to a "haj without incidents". The ministry said the successful outcome reflected the integration of proactive planning, smart technologies, and robust security preparedness, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's global leadership in crowd management and its efficient and innovative organisation of one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The Saudi authorities had conducted extensive and rigorous drills simulating real-life emergency scenarios and crowd control strategies ahead of the haj season, it said. Over 1.6 million pilgrims from 171 countries performed their haj this year. –Bernama
