5,446 women go to Hajj without Eid, most since policy change

NEW DELHI: As the first batch of pilgrims left for the Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, overall data showed that as many as 5,446 Muslim women will undertake the Hajj as ‘ladies without Mehram’ (male companions), with Kerala once again leading the way with a total of 4,477 women participating in the Hajj.This is the highest number of women in the LWM category since 2018, when policy changes first allowed Muslim women aged 45 and above who wish to go to Hajj but do not have a male Mehram and his “school of thought” (Maslak) license to travel in groups of four or more. Single women of the same age group can also apply.A total of 1,75,025 pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year. Of the total Government of India (GoI) quota, 70 per cent is allocated to the Haj Committee of India and 30 per cent to Haj group organizers.