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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pending payments of Maulana Azad Fellowship cleared, says ministry
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs on Thursday announced that payments pending for seven months under Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) 'have been released'. The fellowship for research scholars from minority communities was not disbursed since January this year. In December 2022, the scholarship was discontinued by the ministry but existing scholars were to be granted the fellowship till their term concluded. MANF is a five-year fellowship provided by the Centre in the form of financial assistance to six notified minority communities – Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs — to pursue M Phil and PhD. Announcing the release of the pending dues, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju posted on X: 'A small step that means a lot to so many. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, we remain committed to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. Bhagidari se Bhagyoday is not a slogan, it's a mission.' Last week, Rijiju in an interview to The Indian Express had said complaints from scholars of delay in disbursement of funds are being reviewed. Scholars who were awaiting the funds for months welcomed the government's decision. 'It is good that funds have been released. The government should make sure there are no further delays and the funds are released every month,' Aazam Ali, a research scholar, told The Indian Express. Razia Khatoon, another recipient of MANF, said: 'We really hope we don't have to run anymore campaigns and there are no further delays. We should get our scholarship every month.' Khatoon also sought to know if 'the revised House Rent Allowance, already granted to UGC JRF-SRF scholars, be granted to MANF scholars'. It's been a collective demand of the MANF scholars for some time. Congress MP from Bihar Mohammad Jawed had recently written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman 'drawing her attention' to the delay in disbursement of funds. There are around 800 MANF scholars across India.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand scholarship scam: Rs 91 lakh fraud uncovered in 17 minority institutions, FIRs imminent
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has received crucial investigation report revealing widespread irregularities in a centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for students from minority communities. The reported submitted by the district administration, has flagged serious discrepancies in 17 out of 92 educational institutions under scrutiny. Following the findings, the state government is preparing to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against those involved. Officials confirmed that action would be taken to ensure accountability and recover misappropriated funds. The probe was initiated by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs after receiving multiple complaints and conducting an analysis of the National Scholarship Portal, which flagged several institutions and schools as suspicious. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand government ordered a comprehensive investigation across 92 institutions and schools within the state. District Magistrates were directed to form inquiry committees led by Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). The government had recently issued reminders to ensure timely submission of reports. 'The report reveals prima facie irregularities in scholarship disbursement across 17 institutions of the 92 that were examined,' a government spokesperson said. These include instances where scholarships were awarded to students who were not enrolled in the listed institutions. The irregularities involve 1,058 students and an estimated financial fraud of around Rs 91 lakh. Departmental sources said Haridwar district accounted for the highest number of implicated institutions (7), followed by Udham Singh Nagar (6), and Nainital and Rudraprayag with two each. Dhiraj Garbyal, Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, confirmed that the report had been received and has been forwarded to the Ministry. 'FIRs and other necessary steps will be taken to ensure accountability,' he said.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Mint
Hajj 2025 concludes: Saudi Arabia to resume issuing Umrah visas from today
Saudi Arabia is resuming issuing Umrah visas from today, 10 June, a day after the conclusion of the Hajj 2025. Over 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 nations prayed in Mecca during the annual Islamic pilgrimage, the Saudi Arabian authorities said earlier. The resumption of Umrah visas paves the way for international pilgrims to return to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Kingdom's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had earlier confirmed the start of the new Umrah season, which means new batches of foreign pilgrims would arrive for the pilgrimage. In April, to curb unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco. This temporary restriction was to avoid overcrowding during Hajj 2025. The restriction was basically a temporary suspension on the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 nations. This measure was in effect until mid-June 2025, aligning with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's official calendar, visa issuance will begin on 10 June. Umrah companies and international agents were instructed to finalise their service agreements no later than 27 May, as per the calendar issued earlier. Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. It is almost like the Hajj pilgrimage, with the difference of timing. Both pilgrimages, however, require different visas. The Hajj is performed during a particular period that culminates days after Eid-ul-Adha. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, barring the temporary restrictions during the Hajj period. This year, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates of Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia were between 4 June and 9 June. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, 1,673,230 Muslims performed the Hajj pilgrimage this year, with the majority of them from outside Saudi Arabia. The number of external pilgrims stood at 1,506,576, while 166,654 flocked to Mecca from inside the Kingdom. As many as 1.75 lakh Indians had registered for Hajj pilgrimage this year. This includes an arrangement for 1.2 lakh pilgrims through the government quota managed by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, through the Hajj Committee of India. The remaining pilgrims (over 50,000 pilgrims) were supposed to travel through Private Tour Operators. The Hajj pilgrimage is held annually between the 8th and 13th days of Zil-Hajj, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates of Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia were between 4 June and 9 June.
Mint
09-06-2025
- Mint
Hajj 2025: No more temporary ban on visas for Indians as over 1.6 million Muslims conclude Mecca pilgrimage
Hajj 2025: The Hajj 2025 has concluded with over 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 nations visiting Mecca for the annual Islamic pilgrimage, the Saudi Arabian authorities said on 9 June. As many as 1.75 lakh India had registered for Hajj pilgrimage this year. This includes an arrangement for 1.2 lakh pilgrims through government quota managed by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, through the Hajj Committee of India The remaining pilgrims (over 50,000 pilgrims) were supposed to travel through Private Tour Operators. 'Hajj 2025 was not just a logistical milestone—it was a glimpse of what the future of pilgrimage can and should be,' said Dr Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement on June 9. The Hajj is a must for those Muslims who can afford the travel costs to Saudi Arabia from their home countries. 'Serving over 1.6 million pilgrims with more than 130 digital services, expanding emergency care by 60 percent, and deploying over 20,000 buses and trains isn't only about scale—it's about reimagining the experience itself. Our goal is to make every journey to the holy sites not only safe, but seamless, inclusive, and spiritually enriching. This year was a step forward—and we are already building what comes next,' he said. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam in Saudi Arabia, which houses the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, is performed during a particular period. The Hajj pilgrimage is held annually between the 8th and 13th days of Zil-Hajj, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates of Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia were between 4 June and 9 June. The main Hajj rituals culminate with the commemoration of Eid al-Adha which falls on 10th Zil-Hajj or June 6 in Saudi Arabia this year. In India Eid al-Adha was on 7 June. Eid al-Adha is the day when the animal sacrifice takes place to honour the act of Prophet Ibrahim several 100 years ago. With the conclusion of Hajj 2025, the temporary suspension on short-term visas for 14 countries including India is over too. In April, to curb unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco. This temporary restriction was to avoid overcrowding during Hajj 2025. People have in the past travelled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during the 2024 Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities. The restriction was basically a temporary suspension on the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 nations. This measure was in effect until mid-June 2025, aligning with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. The government clarified on 9 June that temporary restrictions on short-term visas will no longer exist after the Hajj season is over. "As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are temporary restrictions on short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Hajj," a government source told news agency PTI. Many pilgrims also visit the city of Medina, home to the Prophet Muhammad's tomb and the second-holiest site in Islam. While not an official part of the Hajj, visiting Medina remains a significant spiritual experience for many devout Muslims. Hajj 2025 was not just a logistical milestone—it was a glimpse of what the future of pilgrimage can and should be. With the successful conclusion of this year's Hajj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has initiated preparations for Hajj 2026. 'This underscores the Kingdom's commitment to elevating the pilgrim experience under the visionary leadership of its Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina,' the June 9 statement said.
Mint
09-06-2025
- Mint
Hajj 2025: No more temporary ban on short-term visas for Indians as over 1.5 million Muslims conclude Mecca pilgrimage
The Hajj 2025 has concluded with over 1.5 million Muslims from more than 150 nations visiting Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic pilgrimage last week. India's quota for the Hajj in 2025 was 1.75 lakh pilgrims. The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, through the Hajj Committee of India, manages arrangements for the bulk of the quota, which is 1,22,518 in 2025. The balance of the quota (over 50,000 pilgrims) was allotted to Private Tour Operators. 'Hajj 2025 was not just a logistical milestone—it was a glimpse of what the future of pilgrimage can and should be,' said Dr Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement on June 9 The Hajj is a must for those Muslims who can afford the travel costs to Saudi Arabia from their home countries. 'Serving over 1.6 million pilgrims with more than 130 digital services, expanding emergency care by 60 percent, and deploying over 20,000 buses and trains isn't only about scale—it's about reimagining the experience itself. Our goal is to make every journey to the holy sites not only safe, but seamless, inclusive, and spiritually enriching. This year was a step forward—and we are already building what comes next,' he said. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam in Saudi Arabia, which houses the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, is performed during a particular period. The Hajj pilgrimage is held annually between the 8th and 13th days of Zil-Hajj, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates of Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia are between 4 June and 9 June. The main Hajj rituals culminate with the commemoration of Eid al-Adha which falls on 10th Zil-Hajj or June 6 in Saudi Arabia this year. In India Eid al-Adha was on 7 June. With the conclusion of Hajj 2025, the temporary suspension on short-term visas for 14 countries including India is over too. In April, to curb unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco. This temporary restriction was to avoid overcrowding during Hajj 205. People have in the past travelled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during last year's Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities. The government clarified on 9 June that temporary restrictions on short-term visas will no longer exist. "As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are temporary restrictions on short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Hajj," a government source told news agency PTI. The suspension will continue till month end by when all pilgrims will leave the holy cities. Many pilgrims also visit the city of Medina, home to the Prophet Muhammad's tomb and the second-holiest site in Islam. While not an official part of the Hajj, visiting Medina remains a significant spiritual experience for many devout Muslims. Hajj 2025 was not just a logistical milestone—it was a glimpse of what the future of pilgrimage can and should be. With the successful conclusion of this year's Hajj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has promptly initiated preparations for Hajj 2026—underscoring its unwavering commitment to elevating the pilgrim experience under the visionary leadership of its Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Hajj offices across the globe have received the initial operational plans for Hajj 2026, reflecting the Kingdom's sacred responsibility in serving the guests of Allah with excellence, care, and dedication.
