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Riyadh: The first group of Indian pilgrims for Hajj 2026 landed at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage operations from India.
The flight carrying Indian Hajj pilgrims was warmly received by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, and Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, along with senior Saudi officials, including Deputy Ministers from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Prof. Abdulaziz A. Wazzan and Eng. Ayad Abdulrahman Rahbini.
Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan inspected the airport facilities to ensure smooth processing and comfort for the arriving pilgrims. He also interacted with members of the Indian community serving as volunteers, who are assisting the pilgrims with guidance and support upon their arrival.
This arrival coincides with the launch of the Hajj 2026 season, during which the first flights under the “Route to Makkah” (Makkah Route Initiative) also began arriving from several countries.
According to Arab News and official sources, pilgrims from six countries arrived in the initial phase under this initiative. The General Directorate of Passports has assured seamless entry for all pilgrims — whether arriving by air, land, or sea — through modern technology and well-trained staff to deliver high-quality services during the Hajj season.
The Ministry of Interior is implementing the Makkah Route Initiative for the eighth consecutive year. This year, the programme has been expanded to 17 entry points across 10 countries. For the first time, Senegal and Brunei Darussalam have been included in this flagship project under Saudi Vision 2030’s Pilgrim Experience Programme.
The initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration, customs, and other formalities in their home countries, significantly easing their journey to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.
The successful arrival of the first Indian contingent reflects the strong coordination between Indian and Saudi authorities to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching Hajj experience for thousands of Indian pilgrims.
Source: K. N. Wasif
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