Srinagar- Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan made a historic visit to the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia on Monday. This unprecedented visit marks the first time a non-Muslim delegation has been welcomed to Madinah, hinting at the bonding of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations.
“This exceptional gesture by the Saudi side, welcoming a non-Muslim delegation to Madinah, underscores the strength of the bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia. As both nations continue to forge stronger ties, this historic visit is poised to contribute significantly to mutual understanding and cooperation in the realm of religious and cultural exchanges,” a government statement said.
The delegation also included CPS Bakshi, Joint Secretary Haj, an IRS officer from Punjab, and IRS officer Nirupama Kotru from Kashmir.
On January 8, the delegation visited the revered Prophet’s Mosque (Al Masjid Al Nabwi) in the Markazia area of Madinah, followed by a pilgrimage to the historic mountain of Uhud and the Quba Mosque, the first mosque of Islam.
“Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam,” Simiti Irani said in a post on X.
Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam's holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The significance of the visit to… pic.twitter.com/WgbUJeJTLv
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 8, 2024
“The significance of the visit to these sites courtesy Saudi officials, intertwined with early Islamic history, underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement,” she added.
Irani led a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs to the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at Jeddah. The participation was a part of the ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia, during which the Bilateral Hajj Agreement for Hajj 2024 was signed between the two countries.
During the visit she met with Indian volunteers who provide dedicated service to Indian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and also interacted with Umrah pilgrims from India.
According to an official statement, the delegation interacted with Indian volunteers who provide dedicated and selfless service to Indian Hajj pilgrims, including during Hajj 2023. The delegation also interacted with Umrah pilgrims from India.
The visit shall help provide a first hand insight into the arrangements required to be made for ensuring a comfortable Hajj 2024 for the Indian pilgrims, it added.
“The Government of India is deeply committed to assisting in providing facilities and services to Indian Muslims who undertake the Haj pilgrimage, thereby providing them with a comfortable and fulfilling experience,” it said.
India and Saudi Arabia share warm and cordial ties and the Government of India deeply appreciates the special gesture of Saudi’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in facilitating this visit of the Indian delegation to Madinah, the statement added.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
