Saudi Arab: Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and other senior officials.
In Madinah, Smriti Irani met with Indian volunteers providing service to Haj pilgrims, fostering a connection with the dedicated individuals supporting the annual pilgrimage. Additionally, she engaged with Umrah pilgrims from India, emphasizing the significance of the visit to one of Islam’s holiest cities.
Smriti Irani shared her experiences on Twitter, highlighting her historic journey that included visits to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and the periphery of the Quba Mosque – the 1st Mosque of Islam. The accompanying images captured moments of cultural and spiritual significance shared with Indian pilgrims.
In her tweet, Smriti Irani conveyed that the visit to these sites, made possible with the assistance of Saudi officials, intricately woven into early Islamic history, highlights the profound nature of our cultural and spiritual connection”.
The visit to Madinah extended to the exploration of the mountain of Uhud and the Quba Mosque. This comprehensive journey provided insights into the arrangements required for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage, reinforcing the government’s commitment to facilitating a comfortable and fulfilling experience for Indian Muslims undertaking the sacred journey.
“The bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia were further solidified during the visit, marked by the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024. The agreement allocates a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the 2024 Haj pilgrimage, with specific seat reservations for pilgrims traveling through the Haj Committee of India and Haj Group Operators”.
The official statement emphasized the warm and cordial relations between the two nations, expressing appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in facilitating the visit of the Indian delegation to Madinah. As India and Saudi Arabia strengthen their bonds, this visit serves as a testament to the shared commitment to religious harmony and cultural understanding.
