**Executive Summary**
Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, visited Madinah on January 6, 2026, as part of the Indian government's preparations for Haj 2026. The visit included reviewing arrangements at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO) and holding bilateral meetings with the Saudi Haj Ministry. The aim is to ensure the comfort, safety, and quality of services for Indian Haj pilgrims.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of Visit:**
* On-ground assessment of pilgrim accommodations and medical facilities.
* Review of Haj preparations.
* Bilateral meetings with the Saudi Haj Ministry.
* **Delegation:**
* Secretary (MoMA) Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar led the delegation.
* Accompanied by Consul General of India, Jeddah, Shri Fahad Ahmad Khan Suri, Joint Secretary (Haj), Ministry of Minority Affairs, Shri Ram Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee of India, Shri Shahnavas, and Director (Haj), Shri Nazeem Ahmed.
* Haj Consul at the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, Ms. Sadaf Choudary, briefed the delegation.
* **Government Commitment:**
* Fully committed to facilitating Indian Haj pilgrims.
* Strong focus on advance planning.
* Close coordination with Saudi authorities.
* Continuous monitoring of on-ground arrangements.
* **Digital Initiatives:**
* Ministry increasingly leveraging technology.
* Haj Suvidha App developed for transparent, efficient, and pilgrim-centric digital services.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Haj Pilgrims**
* **Impact:** Aim to ensure comfort, safety, quality services, and a spiritually fulfilling Haj experience. The Haj Suvidha App will provide more efficient and transparent digital services.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the Haj Suvidha App for services.
**Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for proactive preparations, on-ground assessments, and ensuring coordination with Saudi authorities. It requires continued use of technology to improve service delivery.
* **Action Required:** Continue advance planning, coordinating with Saudi authorities, monitoring on-ground arrangements, and further developing digital services.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: Primary government body overseeing Haj preparations, led by Secretary Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar.
Haj: Annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, specifically the preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage.
Madinah: City in Saudi Arabia, location of the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO) and site of the Secretary's review.
Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO): Office in Madinah responsible for facilitating Indian Haj pilgrims.
Haj Suvidha App: Mobile application developed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to enhance pilgrim convenience and service delivery for Haj.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Haj 2026 Preparations reviewed by Secretary,
Ministry of Minority Affairs in Madinah, KSA
प्रव तथ: 06 JAN 2026 8:10PM by PIB Delhi
Madinah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), January 6: As part of the Government of India’s early and proactive
preparations for Haj 2026, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar,
visited the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO), Madinah, and reviewed the arrangements being put in place
for Indian Haj pilgrims.
Dr Chandra Shekhar undertook an on-ground assessment of key facilities, including pilgrim
accommodations and medical facilities in Madinah, to ensure comfort, safety and quality services for
Indian Hajis. The visit was part of an official delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for reviewing
Haj preparations and holding bilateral meetings with the Saudi Haj Ministry. Secretary was accompanied
by Consul General of India, Jeddah, Shri Fahad Ahmad Khan Suri, Joint Secretary (Haj), Ministry of
Minority Affairs, Shri Ram Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee of India, Shri Shahnavas, and
Director (Haj), Shri Nazeem Ahmed.
During the visit, Haj Consul at the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, Ms. Sadaf Choudary, briefed the
delegation on the arrangements being made for Indian Haj pilgrims and the coordination underway with
Saudi authorities.The Secretary emphasized that the Government of India is fully committed to facilitating Haj pilgrims
from India in every possible manner, with a strong focus on advance planning, close coordination with
Saudi authorities, and continuous monitoring of on-ground arrangements.
Highlighting the Ministry’s digital initiatives, Dr. Kumar noted that the Ministry of Minority Affairs is
increasingly leveraging technology to enhance pilgrim convenience and service delivery. The Haj Suvidha
App, developed by the Ministry, is a major step in this direction, providing transparent, efficient and
pilgrim-centric digital services to Indian Hajis.
The visit reflects the Government’s sustained efforts to ensure a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling Haj
experience for pilgrims from India during Haj 2026.
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AK/MR
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