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NEW DELHI: The largest contingent so far of over 4,000 women is preparing to travel for Haj without mehram (male companion) with the first flight expected to leave on May 21. Over 2,800 of these women are from Kerala, reports Ambika Pandit.
The women in the state have taken the lead each year since 2018 when policy changes for the first time enabled Muslim women above 45 years of age to travel in groups of four or more without mehram for Haj. Building on the earlier policy (2018-22), the Haj policy 2023 also created the option for single women in same age group to also apply as individuals.
Of the 1.4 lakh pilgrims who will be travelling through the Haj committee of India quota, overall there are over 65,600 women pilgrims. Of the total number of women there are 15,753 women between 60 to 80 years, followed by 222 between 81 to 90 years and there are as many as seven women between 91 to 100. As per data accessed by TOI, there are two women who are above 100 and undetaking the pilgrimage. There are 4,313 women, the largest contingent so far who will be undertaking Haj in the ‘without mehram’ category. They hail from across 25 states and UTs. Kerala (2,807) tops the list followed by UP (222), Tamil Nadu (195), Maharashtra (162), Karnataka (140), J&K (132), MP (128), West Bengal (82), Telangana (76) and Gujarat (70).
The data shows in 2018, 1,171 women went for Haj without mehram. This number was 2,230 in 2019. Thereafter for two years Indian pilgrims didn’t travel for Haj due to pandemic. In 2022, 2,192 applications of women without mehram were approved for Haj.
The women in the state have taken the lead each year since 2018 when policy changes for the first time enabled Muslim women above 45 years of age to travel in groups of four or more without mehram for Haj. Building on the earlier policy (2018-22), the Haj policy 2023 also created the option for single women in same age group to also apply as individuals.
Of the 1.4 lakh pilgrims who will be travelling through the Haj committee of India quota, overall there are over 65,600 women pilgrims. Of the total number of women there are 15,753 women between 60 to 80 years, followed by 222 between 81 to 90 years and there are as many as seven women between 91 to 100. As per data accessed by TOI, there are two women who are above 100 and undetaking the pilgrimage. There are 4,313 women, the largest contingent so far who will be undertaking Haj in the ‘without mehram’ category. They hail from across 25 states and UTs. Kerala (2,807) tops the list followed by UP (222), Tamil Nadu (195), Maharashtra (162), Karnataka (140), J&K (132), MP (128), West Bengal (82), Telangana (76) and Gujarat (70).
The data shows in 2018, 1,171 women went for Haj without mehram. This number was 2,230 in 2019. Thereafter for two years Indian pilgrims didn’t travel for Haj due to pandemic. In 2022, 2,192 applications of women without mehram were approved for Haj.
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