40% drop in Kashmir’s Umrah pilgrims this Ramadhan as costs surge

Srinagar, Mar 16: A notable decline in the number of pilgrims undertaking Umrah from Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadhan has been reported, with travel operators citing rising costs as the primary factor.

According to industry representatives, pilgrim numbers have decreased by 30 to 40 percent compared to previous years.

General Secretary of the All Jammu Kashmir Hajj Tour Operators Association, Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal told Greater Kashmir that Umrah package costs have increased by approximately 30 percent this Ramadhan.

“It is one of the reasons why there is a dip in Umrah pilgrimage. During this month, there is a huge rush of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as a result of which the cost of hotel rooms and other services go up,” Tibetbaqal said.

He said that the timing of Ramadhan this year coincides with the academic calendar in Kashmir, which has also contributed to lower numbers.

“Our peak Umrah season from Kashmir is during November to January as schools remain closed and families undertake pilgrimage together,” he said.

Despite the overall decline, Tibetbaqal said that regular devotees continue to make the journey.

“There are regular pilgrims who take this pilgrimage during Ramadhan and continue to do so. However, cost plays an important role,” he said.

According to statistics shared by the association, Kashmir typically sends between 35,000 to 40,000 pilgrims to Umrah annually.

Junaid Ahmad, an executive with a local travel company, attributed the decline to both increased package prices and growing demand for the pilgrimage from across the Muslim world.

“Because of financial constraints, most Kashmiris prefer to perform the pilgrimage when the package rates are relatively low,” Ahmad said.

Bashir Ahmad, a 58-year-old resident of Srinagar who had been saving for years to perform Umrah during Ramadan, expressed his disappointment at having to postpone his plans.

“I had been dreaming of performing Umrah during the blessed month for the past three years. But when I inquired about the package this year, the cost was simply beyond my budget,” Ahmad said. “The prices have nearly doubled from what they were when I first started saving. Now I have to wait another year and hope the situation improves.”

The report also highlights a parallel trend affecting Hajj pilgrimage applications.

Of the 8000 seats allocated for Hajj by the central government this year, only 3500 applications were received.

It marks the first time pilgrims will be selected without a draw of lots.

Industry observers attribute this unprecedented situation to the steep costs of Hajj packages, which have risen to approximately Rs 4.50 lakh through the Hajj Committee of India.